Join us in our search for solutions to inner-city teen violence

As Cincinnati's news source, we believe that to truly report on what's happening, we need to understand what's happening in neighborhoods across the region.

Our staff lives in many of the same communities you live in: our children attend the schools your children go to, eat at the same favorite restaurants, and we cheer on our beloved professional teams together. In short, we have a personal interest in the success of our region and a desire to help bring people together to improve the quality of life.

WCPO 9 has a long history of journalism that tackles tough topics and gets to the bottom of what's going on. It’s in the DNA of this station. We are committed to listening to and serving our audiences.

We decided to go further by introducing what we call, “WCPO 9 Search for solutions”. The goal of this initiative is to take our team members to various parts of the Tri-State to understand the challenges a community may face and highlight solutions that can make a difference.

We will connect all stakeholders – neighbors, business owners, community groups and government officials – to have a discussion and follow it up with detailed reports on what is being done to help resolve the problem.

“WCPO 9 Search for Solutions” isn’t just a gimmick – it’s a commitment to rolling up our sleeves, going into neighborhoods and helping. We live in a time where lines are drawn in the sand when it comes to policies and issues. We don't have an agenda. Through this project and our reporting, we want to help connect resources, highlight solutions and positive actions people are taking in their communities.

We don't have all the solutions and it's safe to say that individuals or groups don't either, but we are convinced that collectively, we can come together to make a difference.

WCPO 9 Finding Solutions: Inner-City Youth Crime

We're hosting our first WCPO 9 Search for Solutions discussion with stakeholders from the Downtown Cincinnati community.

Concerns have been raised about youth violence in and around the city center. Our WCPO 9 Good Morning Tri-State team will facilitate a conversation with downtown residents, business operators and city officials. The goal is to highlight what works and creates positive change.

If you live, work or own a business downtown and would like to join the discussion, join us on Wednesday, June 26.^th to 10 a.m. at the Lloyd Library and Museum – 917 Plum Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Confirmed guests who will be in attendance to discuss solutions include:

• Mayor of Cincinnati – Aftab Pureval
• Cincinnati Vice Mayor – Jan – Michele Lemon Kearney
• Cincinnati Council Member – Scotty Johnson
• Derrick Rogers-Manager Community Partnering Center, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
• Angela Chang -Public Defenders Officer
• Jackie Bryson – President of the Downtown Residents Council
• Ozie Davis III -Ozie Davis and Associates / Queen City Youth Development Program
• MoPoetry Phillips – Collective for Equity in the Arts
• Amy Tuttle – Executive Director of Pun
• Gene Ferrara – President of Crimestoppers

WCPO 9 Community Affairs Council
Andria Carter – Urban League
Tom McKee – UC/WCPO 9 Retired
Shawndale Thomas – Shawndale Thomas Photography
Missy Spears – Queer Kentucky Executive Director

If you cannot attend and would like to ask a question or have a solution, please fill out this form:

Jeff Brogan is the general manager of WCPO 9.