Citizens and civic leaders talk public safety in Westwood: 'A movement, not a moment'

"I don't know how many kids I've seen shot on that corner," Linda Tyler told a room of about 40 people gathered at Madcap Education Center Thursday night.

Residents of Westwood attended the meeting to share their safety concerns with council members and neighborhood leaders.

Tyler spoke about the night of June 12, describing how she was in her living room with her children and grandchildren, and they all heard gunshots ring through the air.

"I screamed, 'hit the floor,' and everyone went down. It scared my heart," Tyler said.

Minutes later, Tyler stepped out of her door to see two young children had been shot, she said. 

"I was sick. To see that. My heart. It hurt me. You don't know what it feels like…your heart just… it's just terrible," Tyler said, teary-eyed.

She said she cried for days after that incident.

Tyler is 76 years old and has lived at her home since 1994. Over the years, she said she's seen many people get shot near the intersection of McHenry and Cavanaugh avenues, and no one seems to care to find a solution, she explained.

"I'm just sick of it. You don't know what that does to you," Tyler said. 

She even lost her grandson to the gun violence in the area. 

And about two months ago, bullets went through her bedroom window, Tyler said. 

For her 74th birthday party, her kids decided to set up a surprise party for her.

"My friends came, and most of them are on canes, walkers, and oxygen. We had a good time. My kids from Tennessee, Atlanta were there. All my children were there. They surprised me," Tyler said. "Then they (alleged suspects) went to shooting across the street. Everybody, oxygen, walkers, and all had to hit the floor. 

None of her friends have been back to visit since.

Tyler said she refuses to move from her home of nearly 30 years. She's staying and is demanding a solution to the violence.

She said she's frustrated because she has spent most of her life working for community and government organizations dedicated to making change throughout Cincinnati. "It's my calling," she said.

 But she doesn't see things getting better where she lives. Tyler said it's getting worse.

Tyler was one of many to share their own stories in the auditorium of Madcap Education Center in the broader discussion of making Westwood's streets safer.

Council members Betsy Sundermann, Steve Goodin, and David Mann, along with other city leaders including Lisa Davis, assistant chief at Cincinnati Police, sat in a group on stage, imploring people to share their concerns and solutions for public safety.

This is the first in a series of public safety forums organized by Sundermann.

Gun violence, drugs, and traffic accidents were common topics that many citizens touched on.

Attendees who spoke at the forum pointed to better access to jobs, youth programs and mentorships as possible solutions. Some speakers requested Westwood develop a recreation center or space for children to play. More green space such as flowers would help bring more respect and pride to their community, attendees said.

Multiple citizens also reported rude, dismissive comments from police officers when they would report a crime in Westwood. Davis said she would look into the rude comments and better traffic enforcement in the area. Goodin said the city council plans to work with state legislators to lower the speed limits on certain streets. 

He also added that the city council recently approved plans and funding for better pedestrian safety.

Rodney Christian with the East Westwood Improvement Association said building better trust with police and city leaders is "huge," and this forum should contribute to a long-term relationship between citizens and civic leaders.

He addressed Tyler and assured her he would stand with her because one of the worst things that can happen, he said, is people speak up, and no one helps them.

"Whatever we do, we need to make it a movement – not a moment," Christian said.

Greg Hand, president of Westwood Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (WestCURC), said this forum is a significant step to unify the community.

"We have a very diverse neighborhood with pockets of significant poverty as well as pockets of some affluence," Hand said. "We need to bring Westwood together. In many ways, there are two Westwoods – one is stressed financially, socio-economically, and the other is doing okay. We need to get everyone involved to unite the community."