Safety and Service: April Briefing with Interim Cincinnati Police Chief Adam Hennie

Interim Cincinnati Police Chief Adam Hennie joined the briefing to share how the Cincinnati Police Department is rethinking public safety through visibility, responsiveness, and collaboration.

Rather than focusing solely on crime statistics, Hennie emphasized the importance of public perception and trust.

“If you don’t feel safe, it doesn’t matter what I show you,” he told attendees.

That philosophy is driving a renewed focus on customer service and community engagement. The department’s strategy centers around four key priorities: visibility, investigations and enforcement, collaboration with the courts, and technology.

Residents and businesses may already be noticing the changes. Expanded bike patrols, increased foot patrols, and a stronger officer presence throughout Downtown and Over-the-Rhine are now central to the department’s approach. Officers are spending more time outside of cruisers and directly engaging with the community.

The briefing also highlighted the city’s response to Opening Day celebrations earlier this spring. Through coordinated efforts between Cincinnati Police, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the city was able to respond quickly and effectively to isolated disturbances while maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for residents and visitors.

Technology Driving Smarter Policing

Chief Hennie also shared how technology is transforming public safety operations across Cincinnati.

The department recently launched a 24/7 crime center featuring nearly 400 operational city cameras, real-time monitoring capabilities, and a drone-as-first-responder program that now covers approximately 90% of the city.

These tools are helping officers respond more quickly, improve situational awareness, and proactively address issues ranging from traffic concerns to illegal street takeovers.

Perhaps most notably, Hennie emphasized the department’s commitment to partnership — not only with residents and businesses, but also with courts, prosecutors, and neighboring law enforcement agencies.

“We all know where downtown goes is where the whole region goes,” he said, underscoring the connection between public safety and economic vitality.

Turning History Into Inspiration

The second half of the briefing shifted from city streets to submarine steel.

Joe Japp, president of the Submarine Cincinnati Memorial Association, shared updates on the USS Cincinnati Memorial project currently under development at Voice of America MetroPark.

The memorial will feature major components from the retired USS Cincinnati, including the submarine’s conning tower, rudder, and the iconic “Big Red Machine” diesel engine — a nod to Cincinnati’s championship baseball history.

But the project is about far more than preserving history.

The memorial is designed to serve as an educational and workforce development resource focused on STEM careers, skilled trades, engineering, and military service. Organizers hope the site will inspire future generations to explore opportunities in advanced manufacturing, maritime technology, and national defense.

With hundreds of thousands of visitors passing through Voice of America MetroPark annually, the project aims to connect young people and families with the innovation and expertise required to build and maintain America’s naval fleet.

Building Cincinnati’s Future Together

Throughout the briefing, one message remained clear: Cincinnati’s future depends on collaboration.

Whether discussing public safety, workforce development, economic growth, or civic investment, speakers reinforced the importance of businesses, nonprofits, public officials, and community leaders working together to strengthen the region.

The April briefing served as a reminder that the Cincinnati region is not standing still. Leaders across industries are actively investing in the systems, partnerships, and ideas that will shape the next chapter of our community.