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Cincinnati City Council calls for vigilance and self-protection

Following recent violence, a Cincinnati city councilman has issued an unusual warning, urging people in the city to be on high alert and take steps to protect themselves. “We are dealing with a level of violence that we have never seen before. It is unprecedented,” said Councilman Scotty Johnson. “It is the duty of our citizens to stay awake and keep their heads clear. We are unfortunately living in an unprecedented time where violence can pop up anywhere.” Johnson, a former police officer and current member of the Public Safety Committee, emphasized the unprecedented level of violence. The warning comes after a continuing string of violent incidents in the city. Most recently, on June 6, a woman was caught stealing a car just around the corner from the Hamilton County Courthouse where she worked. Two suspects were arrested in that case. In addition, last weekend, a shooting occurred amid a crowd in Bramble Park. Five people were hit. All are expected to recover, but the incident reinforces Johnson’s message. He even goes a step further and advises people to carry pepper spray. “There is a water-based pepper spray that is very strong and won’t kill anyone, but people are guaranteed to use the same pepper spray that the Cincinnati police carry,” Johnson said. He clarified that you shouldn’t attack a shooter with pepper spray, but you could use it in a last-ditch effort to get away if someone attacks without a weapon. “Unfortunately, when someone shows a gun, you always want to do everything you can to be safe,” Johnson said. He is also asking the state legislature for help in toughening laws against juvenile offenders. “People need to be held accountable for causing havoc in our community,” Johnson said. “I think our state legislatures need to look at tougher laws against juvenile delinquency.” Ohio state Sen. Cecil Thomas responded to Johnson’s comments. “I think there needs to be a conversation,” Thomas said. “But I think it needs to be clearly defined what we’re going to do,” Johnson said Wednesday while attending the Juneteenth celebration in Avondale. He said he wasn’t advocating staying away from what the city has to offer, but reminding people to be cautious in the city.

Following recent outbreaks of violence, a Cincinnati city councilor has issued an unusual warning, urging the city’s residents to be on high alert and take measures to protect themselves.

“We are dealing with a scale we have never seen before. It is unprecedented,” said City Councilman Scotty Johnson. “It is the duty of our citizens to stay alert and keep their heads clear. Unfortunately, we live in an unprecedented time where violence can appear anywhere.”

Johnson, a former police officer and current member of the Public Safety Committee, emphasized the unprecedented level of violence.

The warning came in the wake of a series of ongoing violent incidents across the city.

Most recently, on June 6, a woman’s car was stolen near the Hamilton County Courthouse where she worked. Two suspects were arrested in that case.

There was also a shooting amid a crowd in Bramble Park last weekend. Five people were hit. All are expected to recover, but the incident underscores Johnson’s message.

He even goes a step further and advises people to carry a mace with them.

“There is a powerful water-based club that won’t kill anyone, but people are guaranteed to use the same club that the Cincinnati police carry,” Johnson said.

He made it clear that one should not attack a marksman with a mace, but that it could be used in a last-ditch attempt to escape if someone unarmed attacked one.

“Unfortunately, when someone shows a gun, you always want to do everything you can to ensure their safety,” Johnson said.

He also asks the state parliament for help in tightening the laws against juvenile offenders.

“People need to be held accountable for causing havoc in our community,” Johnson said. “I think our state legislators need to come up with tougher laws against juvenile delinquency.”

Ohio State Senator Cecil Thomas responded to Johnson’s comments.

“I think it needs to be discussed,” Thomas said. “But I think it needs to be clearly defined what we are trying to do.”

Johnson made the remarks while attending the Juneteenth celebration in Avondale on Wednesday. He said he was not advocating staying away from the city’s offerings, but was reminding people to be cautious in the city.