Cincinnati City Council on Sept. 10 adopted a motion (item 43) that directs an approximately $4.5 million package of city funds toward a series of public-safety measures including police visibility overtime, safety ambassadors, cameras and lighting, license-plate-reader equipment, and support for small businesses affected by recent incidents. The motion passed after a roll-call vote: Yes — Council members Nolan, Owens, Walsh, Albee, Grama Dean and Jeffries; No — Council members Johnson, Vice Mayor Kearney and Parks.

Summary of the motion and intended uses: Council members Kramerding, Owens and Jeffries presented an amended motion that built on an administration proposal. The package included $1.2 million for police visibility overtime (PVO), funding for safety ambassadors and outreach through community development corporations, placement of cameras and lighting improvements in selected neighborhoods (including West End and northern Over-the-Rhine), license-plate readers, funding to support small businesses affected by recent events, and contract obligations for curfew-center operations. Councilmember Kramerding said the money would be used citywide — in downtown areas and neighborhoods such as Bond Hill and Price Hill — and that unused PVO funds would be reallocated to other public-safety needs.

Arguments for the package: Supporters described the allocation as a necessary, timely response to an uptick in violent incidents and to changed perceptions of safety after a high-profile downtown episode. Councilmember Owens said the package represents “smart investments” and emphasized measures that support small businesses and public-space safety. Councilmember Jeffries highlighted that ambassadors help with litter and street-level issues that affect perceptions of safety, while Councilmember Walsh called the package a mix of short- and intermediate-term measures that should be paired with longer-term planning.

Arguments against or concerns: Several council members pressed for different priorities or questioned specific line items. Vice Mayor Kearney objected to the size of the PVO allocation, noting the police chief had said $500,000 was needed while the motion provided $1.2 million, and suggested reallocating excess funds to youth jobs and community-violence-intervention programs. Councilmember Johnson said that while he supported many safety measures, the fire department faces pressing, emergency needs (fleet, ambulances, facility issues) and urged that funds be directed toward fire services. Councilmember Johnson also argued officers lack capacity for overtime due to staffing shortages. Some members questioned the effectiveness of license-plate readers and the equity of a package concentrated on downtown and the urban core.

Vote and outcome: The motion carried on a 6–3 vote (Yes: Nolan, Owens, Walsh, Albee, Grama Dean, Jeffries; No: Johnson, Vice Mayor Kearney, Parks). Several speakers who supported the motion noted it is a short-term package and should be paired with longer-term investments in housing, jobs and community violence intervention.

Next steps and implementation: The motion allocates funds immediately; the police chief told council that if more resources are needed she will request them. Councilmember Kramerding said if police overtime funds are not used they will be repurposed to other public-safety needs. Several council members urged that future budgets address systemic staffing and fire-department capital needs.

Ending: The vote resolved an immediate funding package but also highlighted divisions on city priorities — including whether short-term police visibility and technology purchases or investments in fire services, youth jobs and long-term community violence intervention should take precedence.