Report on a Public Forum Addressing Urban Violence and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals in Cincinnati

Introduction: Context of the Town Hall

A town hall meeting was convened by gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to address a recent, widely publicized incident of violence in downtown Cincinnati. This event has catalyzed a broader public discourse on urban safety, institutional efficacy, and social cohesion, bringing to the forefront critical challenges related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Key Issues and Proposed Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development

Fostering Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

The central theme of the town hall was the urgent need to reduce violence (Target 16.1) and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions (Target 16.6). Various speakers presented proposals aimed at strengthening the rule of law and ensuring public access to justice.

• Sarah Heringer, whose husband was a victim of a fatal burglary, called for greater transparency and accountability from city leaders regarding public safety measures. She advocated for the creation of a dedicated fugitive apprehension unit to track violent offenders, emphasizing a need for “action” over “statements.”
• Former City Council member Christopher Smitherman highlighted the understaffing of the Cincinnati Police Department and stressed the need for increased funding for officer training, particularly in de-escalation techniques. This aligns with the goal of building more effective and trusted law enforcement institutions.
• Vivek Ramaswamy outlined a multi-pronged strategy to reduce crime, directly addressing institutional frameworks.

1. Reforming the bail system to prevent the early release of individuals deemed a threat to public safety.
2. Increasing punitive measures for criminal acts to reinforce the rule of law.
3. Re-establishing psychiatric facilities to address the mental health needs of offenders, linking justice to public health outcomes (SDG 3).
4. Promoting a “cultural reawakening” that celebrates the rule of law and personal accountability.

Creating Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)

The discussion directly addressed the challenge of ensuring safe and inclusive urban spaces (Target 11.7). The perception of declining safety was presented as a direct threat to Cincinnati’s community well-being and economic prospects.

• Mayoral candidate Cory Bowman articulated a vision for “clean streets, safe streets, and prosperous streets,” framing public safety as a foundational element for a sustainable and thriving city, independent of political affiliation.
• The event itself, along with a counter-rally, underscored the importance of inclusive public discourse in urban governance. However, statements from the Hamilton County Democratic Party and the Charter Committee highlighted concerns that “divisive rhetoric” could damage the city’s long-term prospects, posing a risk to social cohesion necessary for sustainable community development.

Addressing Interconnected Development Goals

The dialogue also touched upon other vital SDGs, demonstrating the interconnected nature of urban safety.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The racial dimensions of the inciting incident and subsequent community reactions, including the distribution of KKK fliers, were noted. Mr. Smitherman and other participants acknowledged the racial aspects of the violence, pointing to the need to address crime in a manner that promotes social inclusion and reduces inequality (Target 10.2).

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The proposal to reopen psychiatric hospitals directly confronts the intersection of crime and mental health, advocating for policies that promote mental well-being (Target 3.4) as a component of public safety strategy.

SDG 4: Quality Education

Mr. Ramaswamy suggested that fostering a culture of discipline and respect within educational environments, through measures like reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and observing moments of silence, is essential for nurturing responsible citizens and achieving broader societal goals.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article’s central theme is the “epidemic of violent crime” in Cincinnati, focusing on specific incidents like a “videotaped brawl” and a fatal stabbing. The discussion revolves around solutions such as reforming the bail system, increasing police presence, promoting the rule of law, and ensuring accountable and transparent city leadership. These topics are the core of SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful societies, provide access to justice, and build effective institutions.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article highlights concerns about urban safety, with statements like, “For families planning a night out, Cincinnati no longer feels like a safe place.” The goal of achieving “clean streets, safe streets and prosperous streets” and making the downtown area safe for residents directly connects to SDG 11’s objective of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• A specific solution proposed by Ramaswamy to address crime is to “reopen psychiatric hospitals to treat suspects with mental health needs.” This directly links the issue of crime to public health infrastructure and the well-being of individuals with mental health conditions, which is a key component of SDG 3.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article touches upon the racial dimensions of crime and justice. It mentions a Black man in the crowd speaking about “the racial aspects of the violence” and a coalition questioning why a white man who assaulted a Black man had not been arrested. This points to concerns about equal access to justice and reducing inequalities based on race, which is central to SDG 10.

Specific Targets Identified

Targets for SDG 16

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   The entire town hall is a response to violent events, including a “group of people violently attacked by a mob” and the stabbing death of Patrick Heringer. The stated goal is to “end the epidemic of violent crime,” directly aligning with this target.

2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   Ramaswamy calls for “celebrating the rule of law” and reforming the bail system. Furthermore, the concern raised by the Blackout Coalition about a white assailant not being arrested suggests a demand for equal application of the law and access to justice.

3. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   Sarah Heringer’s demand for city leaders to “be transparent about how they will improve safety by sharing costs and outcomes” is a direct call for accountable and transparent governance. The criticism of city leaders for deflecting blame instead of offering solutions also points to a desire for more effective institutions.

4. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions… to prevent violence and combat… crime.

   The article discusses the need to strengthen the Cincinnati Police Department. Smitherman notes the department is “not at full force,” and Ramaswamy points out that “police departments are struggling to hire the officers they need.” The call for a “fugitive apprehension unit” is a specific proposal to build institutional capacity to combat crime.

Targets for SDG 11

1. Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…

   The article expresses the sentiment that “Too many people feel uncomfortable at night in the downtown of their own city.” The fight occurred “near the intersection of Fourth and Elm streets,” a public space. The call for “safe streets” is a direct appeal to achieve the goal of this target.

Targets for SDG 3

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   One of the proposed solutions to crime is to “reopen psychiatric hospitals to treat suspects with mental health needs.” This directly addresses the promotion of mental health and well-being as a preventative measure related to crime and violence.

Targets for SDG 10

1. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory… practices…

   The article notes a coalition’s concern that after a white man assaulted a Black man, there were “No charges. No name. No mugshot.” This implies a perceived inequality in the justice system’s outcomes based on race, which this target aims to eliminate.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

Indicators for SDG 16

• Incidence of Violence: The article is predicated on specific events like the “videotaped brawl” and a fatal “burglary,” which serve as direct indicators of violence.
• Homicide Rate: The murder of Patrick Heringer is a key example used to illustrate the severity of crime, implying the homicide rate is a critical measure of public safety.
• Police Staffing Levels: The statement that the “Cincinnati Police Department is not at full force” and is “struggling to hire the officers they need” points to the number of police officers as a key indicator of institutional capacity.
• Public Spending on Safety: Sarah Heringer’s call for leaders to share “costs and outcomes” of safety improvements directly proposes tracking public expenditure on safety measures as an indicator of commitment and transparency.
• Spending on Police Training: The specific call to “spend more money on training police officers, especially on how to deescalate tense situations” suggests that investment in training is a measurable indicator of progress.
• Public Perception of Safety: The statement that “Cincinnati no longer feels like a safe place” and that people “feel uncomfortable at night in the downtown” is a direct measure of the public’s perception of safety, an indicator for Target 16.1.

Indicators for SDG 11

• Prevalence of violence and harassment in public spaces: The violent brawl in a downtown street is a direct example that can be measured to track the safety of public spaces.

Indicators for SDG 3

• Availability of mental health facilities: The proposal to “reopen psychiatric hospitals” implies that the number and capacity of such facilities are an indicator of the community’s ability to provide mental health treatment.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cincinnati.com