Safety in downtown Cincinnati is not a single truth. It varies block by block, building by building, even entrance by entrance.
The recent elections highlighted downtown safety as a key concern. And when you listen to Cincinnati’s civic leaders, you hear a steady message: Downtown is safe, and the problems are manageable.
But last month, Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment sued its downtown landlord, Towne Properties, alleging serious security failures at 700 Walnut: a bullet entering an executive office, an armed robbery, and staff car break-ins. According to the lawsuit, the company requested basic security measures — secured entrances, visitor check-ins, and on-site presence — and came away empty-handed. As a result, they vacated their corporate office and closed their event venue, Lempicka.
Towne Properties responded with its own lawsuit, insisting safety had nothing to do with the move. They say JRCE abandoned the property despite leases that run through 2028 and 2030. Towne argues that the security allegations are inflated.
Two very different stories. Both from credible institutions.
The courts will sort out the merits of the dispute, but the suit reveals something important: Safety in downtown Cincinnati is not a single truth. It varies block by block, building by building, even entrance by entrance. One landlord may invest in security; another may not. One business may feel comfortable; another may feel exposed. And when things go wrong, both sides have strong incentives to shape the narrative.
Other cities have already recognized this problem and built clearer systems. Denver created a block-by-block public dashboard that tracks incidents, response times, and safety conditions in commercial corridors. Minneapolis went a step further, launching independent building-security assessments so tenants know what they’re walking into before they sign a lease. Both cities learned the same lesson: You can’t reassure the public with broad slogans when the actual conditions vary by building, block, and ownership. Cincinnati hasn’t taken that step yet, and until it does, we’re left with press releases on one side and lawsuits on the other.
Until Cincinnati builds a transparent, block-by-block view of downtown safety – like Denver and Minneapolis – residents and businesses are left to wonder which version of reality is true.
Dennis Doyle lives in Anderson Township and is a member of the Enquirer Board of Contributors.
