Local News
By William Coffman, Local & National News Editor and Dominic DeGrinney, Staff Writer
The Cincinnati Reds dropped the opening day game to the Boston Red Sox, and fans took out their frustration by fighting at the Banks.
The chaotic scene saw officers get between two crowds, trying to separate adults engaged in the brawling. The disruptions lead to the Banks being closed down for the night, and a statement from Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) to WVXU.
“17 arrests involving individuals ranging in age from 14-50 years old, representing a mix of genders and backgrounds. Charges associated with these arrests include Disorderly Conduct, Possession of Weapons While Intoxicated, Failure to Comply, Assault, and Resisting Arrest.” Interim Cincinnati Police Chief Adam D. Hennie said.
The chaos caused what should have been a fun night celebrating the start of the baseball season into one filled with animosity and panic.. A swift response from CPD helped avert any further injury, and visitors noted the Banks returned to normal the following day.
The Banks has been a popular place for opening day crowds.
“In the evening when the disturbances that were happening elsewhere in the city started to surface at The Banks, we immediately cooperated with CPD in clearing the area and closing down our businesses,” the Banks Business Community said in a Friday statement.
Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval was outraged at the fighting that took place.
“This is exactly what causes fear and concern among our guests who come to support our urban core. It’s the kind of behavior that forces us to look at and implement more severe crowd control restrictions in our Downtown.” Pureval stated in a press release.
This latest action further complicates the issue of public safety for the mayor. Last summer, after a downtown brawl went viral nationwide, the government established a curfew for parts of downtown. Questions about crime in Cincinnati was a key issue in the mayoral election and resulted in then Police Chief Teresa Theetge being placed on paid administrative leave.
The Banks has returned to normal levels of operating and the Reds have since moved on to win the opening series against the Red Sox in a season they hope will result in another playoff appearance.
