Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters commented on the weekend violence in Cincinnati.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters commented, “I am alarmed, shocked and saddened, as should be everyone in Hamilton County, about the gun violence over the weekend.

We have at least 20 victims of gun violence including 5 people who died.  These incidents happened all over the city; in neighborhoods such as OTR, Walnut Hills, West End and North Avondale.  Cincinnati Police continue to investigate and are working hard to solve these cases and prevent more violence.

To those who call to “defund” the police, this weekend should silence that call once and for all.  While I believe that we should police smartly and efficiently and use all of our resources in the best way possible, “defunding” the police is not the answer.  I suspect that everyone affected by the violence this weekend- – victims, family members, residents in the communities- – were grateful for the Cincinnati Police Department’s immediate response and their ongoing efforts to solve these horrible crimes.

Anyone who knows me and my track record over the years as your prosecutor knows that I do not tolerate those who commit violent crimes.  I will work closely with the police on these cases and provide whatever resources my office can to find the person or persons responsible and prosecute them.

My goal is, and always has been, to keep our community a safe place to live.”