Businesses Upset with Hughes

While serious crime has fallen to a five-year low in the area, many Clifton businesses and residents are saying Hughes High School students are an issue that needs to be addressed, not tolerated.

“I have not seen all this crime people are talking about here in Clifton,” said Mac Ryan, 35, owner of Mac’s Pizza Pub on West McMillan Street. “Frankly a lot of our problems come from Hughes High School, not other businesses or UC students. Early morning, around three or four in the afternoon, there’s just shady stuff going on around here.”

Ryan said that more police officers in the area when Hughes begins and ends the school day could solve the problems of loitering, fighting and “nuisances.”

“With the resources that this city has, it blows my mind that there aren’t more officers outside that school to funnel them away from school in an orderly manner,” Ryan said. “And maybe patrol these alleys so they’re not dealing drugs in the process. It’s completely unacceptable.”

Other businesses along the strip echo Ryan’s comments, and believe they are losing business from the lack of control of high school students before and after school.

“I see [the Hughes’ kids] in the morning. They really need to get that under control because we’ve had many fights out here in the parking lot,” said Annette Raisor, 44, a cashier at Stop-N-Go and Clifton resident for six years. “I can see a lot of difference from six years ago to now. But I think we all need to get together as a community and see what we can do. There are a lot of businesses up there who are losing business due to [Hughes].”

As a resident, Raisor said she’s still uneasy about the amount of crime in the area.

“I’ve had a stabbing outside of my house not even a few months ago,” Raisor said. “It’s kind of scary coming out of your house and not being able to cross the crime tape.”

Joey Vannauker, 26, a Clifton resident for three years, said a greater police presence would help with both controlling Hughes’ students and general crime in the neighborhood, possibly acting as a deterrent while also making Clifton a more welcoming environment.

“Hughes High School is a mess; there’s not enough officers out there to contain all the kids who flood out at once,” Vannauker said. “They’re not committing serious crimes really, but being more of a nuisance – loitering is bad for businesses. They’re obnoxious and there’s no reason to be hanging around this area, fighting and aggravating people.”

Ryan believes that the installation of cameras in certain “hot spots” around the area could help with controlling the high school students, as well as aid in keeping serious crimes down.

“[The Clifton Business Association and University of Cincinnati Police Department] are looking into putting up a number of cameras in this area,” Ryan said. “They asked for our input and no one was shy to provide input as to where these cameras should be installed.”

Crimes such as assault, armed robbery and rape may be curbed by the installation of these cameras. Ryan and Vannauker, however, think that many of these crimes could be better prevented if individuals were more careful about walking around at night.

“Being aware and keeping track of what you’re doing can definitely help,” Vannauker said. “And to not feel worried. It’s a sign of fear and weakness that gives someone a reason to prey on you. Walk proud, and I think crime will start to diminish.”

Ryan agreed.

“There’s a reason people don’t drink and drive,” Ryan said, “and there’s a reason why you don’t drink and walk home alone.”

Both do believe that an increased police presence, which they claim has diminished over the years, could ultimately solve these problems.

“When I opened up, I could walk out my front door and see an officer on horse, bike, car or foot every five minutes – I see that less frequently,” Ryan said. “But for crying out loud, at 3 p.m. when [the police] know every single day when those kids get out of school ... Help them get away from here. I saw a melee on the corner just last Friday – no officers in sight. I wouldn’t have felt safe walking through that group of kids, and I’ve got pretty thick skin.”

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