Residents urge Hamilton County to appeal Evendale report after Feb. 7 incident

Speakers during the public-comment period at the Hamilton County Commissioners' June 26 meeting pressed county leaders to review and appeal a Village of Evendale investigative report about an incident on Feb. 7 that residents said involved armed visitors and threatening conduct in Lincoln Heights.

The request for review and a more robust county response came from several residents. Eric Ruffin asked the board to “enter” proposed changes into the record and suggested new rules for officers transporting people and for avoiding moving people within 1,000 feet of school property. He told commissioners the Evendale and county investigations so far “appear that no corrective measures have been implemented to prevent similar incidents from happening again.”

Why it matters: speakers said the episode left neighborhood residents afraid and seeking formal remedies, including an appeal of Evendale’s conclusion and new operational rules for officers. Casey Dean, a public commenter, described the presence of militants and said, “They wanna kill us.” Terrance Daniels and Deronda Calhoun told the board that evidence collected by residents was not reflected in the Evendale report and asked the county to press for a fuller inquiry and possible appeal.

What residents asked for: at the podium, Eric Ruffin proposed written changes to law-enforcement practice, saying officers should confirm a person’s identity, check for warrants and dangerous items before transporting them, notify relevant jurisdictions when someone is transported across boundaries, and avoid leading groups within 1,000 feet of school property. Deronda Calhoun asked the commissioners to “appeal the report that Evendale has put out” and said the visitors’ actions—stepping off the sidewalk and into the street while holding firearms—constituted criminal behavior under local signage and state law.

County response and limits: Commissioners acknowledged the submissions and described the limits of county authority. Commission President Denise Dreehaus thanked the speakers and said the documents provided to the board would be reviewed: “We will review them, follow‑up on them,” she said. Commissioner Alicia Reese described the county’s limited investigatory authority and explained that municipal police and prosecutorial decisions are handled by other jurisdictions; she said state legislation could be a path for change and referenced that state lawmakers, including Senator Cecil Thomas, have discussed related measures.

Discussion vs. action: the commissioners did not take a formal vote to open an investigation or to file an appeal on the record during the June 26 meeting. Commissioners said the written material submitted by residents will be entered into the county record and reviewed by staff and legal counsel before any further direction is taken. Residents repeatedly urged a formal county appeal of Evendale’s findings and a county‑led investigation if appropriate.

Next steps: residents said they submitted additional materials to the clerk and urged the county to publicize how people can deliver evidence. Commissioners said staff would examine the documents and follow up; no binding deadline or formal appeal action was recorded in the meeting minutes.

Ending: Lincoln Heights speakers left the meeting urging tangible next steps and legal review; the board said it would review materials the residents provided and determine appropriate follow‑up with county staff and external jurisdictions.