The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 13

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER UNREST IN THE CITY WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2001 All FN Return to normalcy eds fans up for game despite Tuesday's attendance was against the Milwaukee Brewers with a night game. The weather was winter-like, with rain and sleet, and temperatures hovering around 40. "I thought about what happened down here, but I don't think it'll be a problem," Mr. Dorsey said. "Especially with as cold as it is.

place. I'm a little more apprehensive, not so much for me but for my wife. "I never bring a cell phone with me, but I'm carrying one tonight just in case of emergency," he said. Mr. Kegley said he was saddened by the violence and the images of Cincinnati unrest seen around the world.

cash, image zkHi jF L. IwMHifi 1 ffm-immitmmtmr dWrrrf-r -n-n-i-1 By Michael D. Clark The Cincinnati Enquirer Fans arriving for Tuesday's Reds game, the first major public event in downtown Cincinnati since last week's riots, said they were bothered more by the unseasonably cold weather than concerns about safety. Riot damage By Ken Alltucker and Tom O'Neill The Cincinnati Enquirer Over-the-Rhine business owners say immediate cash and an image make-over are desperately needed to sustain a neighborhood scarred by a week of rioting. The biggest challenge for businesses struggling to keep afloat is persuading people to return to shop, eat in and visit one of the city's poorest areas.

Without immediate assistance, businesses say they will fail or move to the suburbs. "I need some help," said William Edwards, co-owner of the Millennium stereo and general merchandise shop on Vine Street, ''because I can't wait three weeks for paper to be shuffled around while leaders play political backgammon." After hearing offers of low-interest loans and other programs during a Tuesday meeting arranged by Cincinnati Business Incubator, store owners told community leaders they would prefer grants over being saddled with more debt. Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune wants the county to match the city's aid plan $1 million in low-interest loans and $250,000 in grants. Mr. Portune suggested the business community kick in an equal amount.

Arson fires damaged $290,595 worth of property, last week in Cincinnati, Assistant Fire Chief Mike Kroeger said Tuesday. He hasn't determined whether all were riot-related. Most fires were outdoors in trash bins or on streets, so they caused little property need new It keeps inside anybody who isn't a Reds fan." But Don Kegley of Love-land said the violence in parts of downtown last week gave him some pause before he decided to come. "I'm somewhat concerned," said Mr. Kegley, accompanied by his pregnant wife.

"I parked in a different covering stolen goods. Gerald Mallin, owner of Leader Furniture at Findlay Market, was in mid-sentence when a Cincinnati police squad car pulled up. The trunk sprang open, and officers began returning lamps and other items that were stolen last week during the riots. Police had received an anonymous call that an Over-the-Rhine man was trying to sell the items out of his apartment. They were recovered there.

"I appreciate this so much," Mr. Mallin told District 1 investigator Joe Milek. "People do care. It's great." 15,729. It was the smallest crowd to attend a Reds game at Cinergy Field since Sept.

13, 1999. Against the Florida Marlins that day, the attendance was 15,298. Steve Dorsey drove in from Anderson Township with his young son to watch the Reds open a homestand Special loans Firstar Bank and the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce have launched a special loan program to help businesses hurt by last week's unrest. The bank's prime rate of 8 percent is available on loans between $2,500 and $100,000. For information, call 361-8260 or stop at two Firstar Bank branches, 125 E.

Court St. or 1420 Sycamore St. damage. Of last week's 359 fires, 210 were outdoors, 32 were vehicles and 117 were at homes and businesses. Wednesday night was the busiest for fire crews.

They chased 150 fire and 108 emergency medical dispatches. The extra activity resulted in an overtime bill of $75,500. Two fire stations and seven vehicles were damaged with rocks and bottles adding thousands more to the toll. City leaders still haven't added the cost of broken windows, looted storefronts and lost sales in Over-the-Rhine, West End, Madison-ville, Avondale, Walnut Hills and downtown. Economic Development Director Evonne Kovach expects to know today the number of businesses affected.

More than 120 stores and offices were damaged. Over-the-Rhine business owners say lack of sales -not costly repairs is the biggest threat. Mr. Edwards' store was open during the most harrowing moments. His store closed each evening before the curfew kicked in.

But few customers walked The Cincinnati EnquirerGARY LANDERS Cincinnati police investigator Joe Milek (right) returns a couple of lamps Tuesday to Gerald Mallin, co-owner of Leader Furniture Co. The lamps were stolen during last week's unrest. Jf CttLm-tw, 1 1 1 mnri irr nir if I Wi -iTt-ri- MirTnmt The Cincinnati EnquirerGARY LANDERS Daryl Render of Eckerlin Meats in Findlay Market waits on customer Sally Smith on Tuesday. National study Police killing of felons examined By Derrick DePledge Enquirer Washinqlun Bureau WASHINGTON Young black males have the highest rate of being killed by police in a "justifiable homicide," although a growing percentage of felons that police killed in the past few decades are white, researchers report. A U.S.

Department of Justice study of justifiable homicide by police from 1976 to 1998 found that police killed 8,578 felons -373 each year on average a figure that has remained fairly constant as the population and the number of police officers on patrol has grown. Federal researchers based their findings on voluntary reports from police departments on what the departments concluded were justifiable homicides of felons. The study does not include all police departments, since some do not file reports or fail to file reports in certain years, and does not always reflect cases where justifiable homicides were later ruled murders. The terms in the study, according to the Justice Department, "reflect the view of the police agencies that provide the data used in this report." For example, a justifiable homicide is warranted to "prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to the officer or another person." The people are described as felons because they were "involved (or thought to be involved) in a violent felony." No federal database tracks officer-involved shootings or the total number of people killed by police officers each year. Cincinnati police have killed 15 black suspects since 1995, but it is difficult to compare the city with others of similar size without a national database.

The shooting death April 7 of Timothy Thomas, 19, touched off protests and riots by blacks angry at what they perceive as a history of abuse from police. Last month, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio and the Cincinnati Black United Front sued tlie city in federal court, alleging a pattern of racial profiling by police officers. The Justice Department study found that young black males made up 1 percent of the population in 1998 but were 14 percent of the 367 felons police killed. Young white males accounted for 7 percent of the population and 15 percent of the felons killed. Overall, 62 percent of the felons killed in 1998 were white and 35 percent were black.

Twenty years earlier, 50 percent of the felons killed were white and 49 percent were black. "You've got a huge increase in the size of the population, a huge increase in the number of police officers, but the number of felons killed by police has not risen significantly over those years," said Patrick Langan, a senior statistician at the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Since the reports from police are voluntary, the information provided to the Justice Department is not always complete. Mr. Langan said a more thorough study would be possible if the reports were officially certified by states and always included the demographic characteristics of the felons and police officers involved.

To read more about the U.S. Department of Justice study go online at www. ojp. usdoj.govbjsab-stractph98.htm, "Policing and Homicide, 1976-98: Justifiable Homicide oi Felons by Police and Murder of Police by Felons" from the U.S. Department of Justice.

riots "It's given us a black eye in general," he said. John Wright saw those images of destruction last week, but that didn't deter the Reds fan from driving down from his home in Columbus. "I felt it would be plenty safe. As time goes on, the emotions will die down," said Mr. Wright.

Mr. Mallin and Neil Luk-en, owner of Charles Bare Sons in the market, agreed the city needs to offer financial assistance to spur economic growth. Mr. Luken, 37, has been working at Findlay Market since he was 12. He remains optimistic, but he was quick to point out how much can change in a mere week.

"It's amazing," he said, "to think that a week before this happened, we had the (Reds) Opening Day parade, with about 100,000 people here." Some owners are angry about their predicament. Leonard Weinstein, owner of Barr's Loan pawn shop at 1724 Vine said about $100,000 in merchandise was stolen. The shop was raided repeatedly, most recently Easter Sunday. During Tuesday's meeting, Mr. Weinstein rejected a suggestion that he hire youths from the neighborhood.

The type of people who looted his shop aren't willing to work, he said. He also argued that business owners shouldn't be forced to take out a loan to pay for riot damage. "I need a grant," he said, or he may be forced to close. between 30 and 75 feet from the suspect when the gun is fired. Officers also are instructed to aim at "center mass" meaning the torso; avoiding the head, neck and groin, if possible.

Not in the suburbs Most suburban Tristate departments do not have the beanbag guns or the launchers that release the 40mm sponge rounds. Some are considering them, given what they saw from Over-the-Rhine last week. "They were very effective for what they were used for without causing major injuries," said Frank Maupin, acting chief in Madeira. "I think they are great because it enables you to use something without having to go to lethal force." His city has had beanbags for two years, but has never used them. Norwood officers have beanbags and Tasers.

Rubber projectiles are on the way. "We instructed our officers last week to either bounce them into the legs or chest area," said Norwood Chief William Schlie. "They are effective. Still, an officer's got to use some common sense." Patrick Crowley and David Eck contributed. 1 into the store.

Looters were scampering down the street ahead of plastic bullets and beanbags shot by armed police in riot gear. "My damage was financial," Mr. Edwards said. "Not physical." David Ginsburg, of Downtown Cincinnati said an immediate advertising campaign should be launched to bolster sales. The area must draw suburbanites to Main Street, Vine Street and Findlay Market.

Findlay merchants are nervous about how well the outdoor market will do this week. Many are busy repairing damage. Others are re Beanbags: Witnesses say police hit peaceful marchers amazing to think that a week before this happened, we had the (Reds) Opening Day parade, with about 100,000 people Neil Luken, owner of Charles Bare Sons Leader has been at 130 West Elder for 38 years. Now, its front windows are boarded up, and walk-in traffic has slowed to a crawl. Damage to the storefront is in the thousands, Mr.

Mallin said, but the real economic loss grows each week that business is down. "We're still having trouble convincing people that we're open," said Mr. Mallin, who has placed radio ads to make his plea. "It's been very hard." of the weapons in order GUN NETS Gun nets, which fire a weighted net over a suspect, entangling him. In development are self-contained shock pads and a water gun that sends a stream of electrified liquid to disable the suspect.

The Cincinnati Enquirer M. ROYER bag guns in 1997, after the fatal shooting that year of escaped mental patient Lorenzo Collins, who wielded a brick. The beanbags, about the size of a tea bag, are filled with an ounce of lead bird-shot. Getting hit with one, police officials say, feels like being hit by a fastball thrown by a professional baseball player. Cincinnati officers do not routinely carry the less-than-lethal options, including the beanbag guns and Tasers, battery-operated devices that shoot 50,000 volts up to 15 feet.

That's sometimes enough to knock a person to the ground. Officers call for them when they feel they are needed. Policy for their regular use calls for an officer to be Police tools to control, stop suspects An array of weapons is available to police in Greater Cincinnati and nationwide. Some BEANBAG Beanbag or 40 mm sponge rubber projectiles fired from launcher rifle. TASER DARTS Taser darts, which are fired into the skin and transmit an electrical shock to immobilize.

SPRAY Pepper be fired paint further of escalating force include: PRESENCE Officers are trained that the first weapon at their disposal is their presence on a scene, followed by verbal commands. BATON Used to strike or otherwise physically control a suspect. CHEMICAL Chemical spray. projectiles can from modified pellet gun to distance an officer from pepper spray effects. 1 rj- 1 VI 2 From Page Al Scotty Johnson, president of the Sentinels, a group of black police officers, also called for the officers to be disciplined.

Chief Tom Streicher has said news on the investigation would come soon, but no new information was released Tuesday. Both the division's internal affairs unit and the FBI are investigating. More than 40 witnesses have been interviewed. Among those near the scene: Cecil Thomas, a former police officer and president of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, who was talking to Do-reen Cudnik, executive director of Stonewall Cincinnati. Fraternal Order of Police President Keith Fangman called for the community to withhold judgment until the investigation concludes.

"The officers are going to get a chance to tell their side of the story," he said. "I thought we learned our lessons as a city to wait for the investigation to be finished before everyone jumps to conclusions." The officers involved: Spec. Todd Bruner, 31, white, on the force since 1993. He teaches defensive tactics and physical fitness at the police academy. He is in excellent physical shape and a great teacher, according to his latest evaluation.

Sgt. Eric Hall, 41, Asian, on the force since 1989. He was promoted last year, works in inspections, and has FBI basic and advanced training. John Mercado, 34, 10-year veteran, Hispanic. The former Marine is considered an excellent drug investigator.

Tim Pappas, 34, white, on the force since June 1997. He was shot in the hand Nov. 8 when shoplifting suspect Jeffrey Irons grabbed a sergeant's gun and fired at him. Another officer killed Mr. Irons.

Sgt. Arthur Schultz, 37, white, officer more than a decade, promoted in 1997. He is assigned to the undercover Street Corner drug unit. He earned praise 2'2 years ago for his patience with crowds, something a supervisor said helped District 1 avoid a "hot summer." Jennifer Ventre, 34, white, officer since September 1990. She was promoted to specialist six years ago and trains recruits in writing reports and fitness.

She is described as highly motivated and a logical thinker. Shooting injured four Two adults and two children were hit Saturday with the beanbags, less-than-le-thal weapons Cincinnati police used to disperse crowds throughout last week's violence. The violence was prompted by the killing of Mr. Thomas, who was shot and killed by Officer Steve Roach, a four-year veteran. Mr.

Thomas was the 15th black male to die in confron tations with police since 1995. Louisville high-school teacher Christine Jones was hospitalized with a bruised spleen, cracked rib and bruised lung. Beanbag projectiles and the sponge-ball rounds Cincinnati police used during the riots are some of the newer crowd-control weapons available to law enforcement. During the riots after the 1992 beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles, for example, officers did not have the less-than-lethal choices. That's why two lieutenants from the Long Beach, Police Department, flew in to Cincinnati during the riots this week -to watch how officers here used them.

Cincinnati bought 60 bean-.