Episodios

  • Eliminating District 5 Who's Watching Out for Safety?

    Eliminating District 5 Who's Watching Out for Safety?
    Aug 22 2025
    Cincinnati's controversial decision to eliminate Police District 5 is stirring up more than just civic debate; it's reshaping the city's entire crime landscape. With a surge in violent incidents, including a high-profile downtown episode and the heartrending murder of Patrick Heringer, the repercussions of this restructuring are both immediate and profound. Our exploration uncovers the disconcerting lack of communication from city officials as they grapple with escalating violence, while hastily prepared reports on response times raise serious questions about the integrity of their evaluations.

    Our attempts to engage city leaders about the impact of these changes have been met with silence or inadequate responses, leaving us to question their commitment to public safety. What happens when a city's financial priorities shift away from essential public services? Cincinnati's decision to reduce police districts from five to four, while funneling resources into projects like a skate park and art organization headquarters, is being scrutinized for its logic and long-term efficacy. We unpack these financial moves and their potential disconnect with community needs. By examining the broader implications of reallocating funds from public safety, this episode asks if Cincinnati's vision aligns with its residents' future, or if it's a gamble that compromises their safety and well-being.
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    24 m
  • Tensions Between City Law Enforcement, the Collaborative Agreement, and Iris Roley.

    Tensions Between City Law Enforcement, the Collaborative Agreement, and Iris Roley.
    Aug 12 2025
    What are the secrets behind Cincinnati's groundbreaking approach to reducing violence and promoting public safety. Todd will guide you through the fascinating journey of the Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) and its deep ties to the city's Collaborative Agreement, revealing how a focused deterrence strategy spearheaded by Dr. Garcia and David Kennedy took shape. Along the way, learn about the roles played by city officials like Cecil Thomas and Mayor Mallory, and Iris Roley.

    Let's focus our attention on Iris Roley's consulting work, the transparency issues it faces, and the tensions brewing with the Fraternal Order of Police. As we explore the broader challenges impacting city management, including a controversial incident caught on body-worn camera, the call for an independent assessment of the current situation becomes clear.

    Explore https://cincinnatiwatchdog.com/ for vital documents, op-eds, podcasts, and more.
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    22 m
  • System Failures - Investigating the Tragedy of Patrick Heringer

    System Failures - Investigating the Tragedy of Patrick Heringer
    Aug 6 2025
    This episode promises to shed light on the critical oversights in the handling of Mordecai Black, spotlighting alarming gaps in parole supervision and inter-agency communication. Join Todd as he dissects the complexities surrounding the case, driven by Sarah Heringer’s fervent calls for a transparent timeline and accountability from the authorities. We will scrutinize the role of halfway houses, GPS monitoring, and the puzzling actions of the Cincinnati Police Department as we explore how these elements contributed to this tragic outcome.

    Together, we'll confront the urgent need for reforms in government investigations and explore the systemic failures highlighted by this case. This episode takes a hard look at the Adult Parole Authority's ranking system and its dire implications for public safety in Hamilton County. Todd advocates for change by engaging with Ohio state legislators and urging the implementation of effective oversight mechanisms. Listen in as Todd unravels the need for multi-agency task forces like SOFAST and better notification systems to enhance community safety and accountability. This conversation is a call to action, pushing for the reforms necessary to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

    Explore https://cincinnatiwatchdog.com/ for vital documents, op-eds, podcasts, and more.
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    17 m
  • Sarah Heringer's Demands

    Sarah Heringer's Demands
    Jul 28 2025
    Patrick Heringer's murder shouldn't just be another statistic lost in Cincinnati's rising crime rates. We're demanding answers, accountability, and a commitment to change. Join Todd as he scrutinizes the city council's lackluster response and highlight Sarah Heringer's powerful calls for action. From her demand for a detailed timeline of failures to her push for a public safety audit, Sarah's voice echoes the frustrations of a community seeking justice. We dissect how systemic breakdowns allowed Mordecai Black, the accused, to slip through the cracks, underscoring the urgent need for clarity from city and state agencies.

    Amid the broader discussions of youth and gun violence, we spotlight the troubling sidelining of Patrick's case and probe into the police enforcement issues under Chief Teresa Theetge's leadership. With public perceptions on the line, we question her support for officers and explore the necessity of state-level intervention to ensure transparency. To keep the conversation alive, we've launched CincinnatiWatchdog.com, a dedicated platform for resources and updates on this case. As we unveil Episode 25, listeners can explore https://cincinnatiwatchdog.com/ for vital documents, op-eds, podcasts, and more.
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    25 m
  • Cincinnati Financial Freedom Blueprint

    Cincinnati Financial Freedom Blueprint
    Jul 23 2025
    This episode promises to guide you through the city's plan to boost financial stability, launched under the Cities for Financial Empowerment's City Start program. Unveiled in June 2023, this $2.125 million initiative tackles six pivotal areas, from managing delinquent debt to fostering job mobility, homeownership, and equity. We'll explore the city's commitment, reflected in a projected $11 million spend, and the urgent call for transparency in tracking these transformative interventions.

    Join Todd as he scrutinizes Cincinnati's financial management strategies, addressing both city programs and the complexities they bring. From the intricacies of launching a guaranteed basic income pilot to the pressures on childcare and grocery delivery services, we shed light on the delicate balance between discretionary spending and mandatory obligations. Anticipate exciting revelations about a future grocery delivery pilot and the soon-to-launch Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser website, designed to empower residents with insights into city activities. With gratitude, we hope these initiatives will prove invaluable to the Cincinnati community.
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    25 m
  • Charter Committee's Candidates

    Charter Committee's Candidates
    Jul 15 2025
    Reflecting on my early days in Cincinnati politics, I recall the challenges faced by non-Democratic candidates trying to make their mark in a predominantly one-party city. This episode brings those memories into sharp focus as we introduce the Charter Committee's latest slate of candidates for the 2025 City Council elections. With Laketa Cole, Steve Goodin, Don Driehaus, Dawn Johnson, and Aaron Weiner on board, there's palpable excitement about their potential to reshape the city's governance. We explore the Charter Committee's esteemed history, while examining the hurdles these non-Democratic contenders might face.

    The episode takes a thoughtful look at the Charter Committee's stances on pressing issues, such as public safety and economic development in underrepresented neighborhoods like Bond Hill and Avondale. This discussion naturally pivots to Mayor Aftab Pureval's ambitious plans to redefine the Democratic Party through his Majority Democrat initiative and the tangible effects of his policies, including the Green Cincinnati Plan. As we speculate on the political dynamics that could unfold, the anticipation is high for the Charter Committee to catalyze significant conversations around Cincinnati's future. This is more than just an election campaign; it's a potential turning point for the city's political landscape.
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    24 m
  • Gun Violence and ACT for Cincy

    Gun Violence and ACT for Cincy
    Jul 8 2025
    Gun violence is one of Cincinnati's gravest issues, but is the ACT for Cincy initiative truly making a difference, or is it another instance of big promises with little follow-through? Join Todd as he scrutinizes the allocation of $3 million towards community grants, dissecting components like Boots on the Ground, Safe and Clean, and the Human Services Violence Reduction Fund. Despite the fanfare, the mayor's silence on this topic during his recent Cincinnati Edition appearance speaks volumes about the initiative's impact, or perhaps the lack thereof.

    Turning our attention to the city's financial health, we question the transparency and results of Cincinnati's financial freedom blueprint. What are the true outcomes of initiatives like the $800,000 spent on "Boots on the Ground"? Can such social spending eventually sink the city into fiscal instability? We'll discuss our concerns about these potentially risky financial maneuvers and ponder the implications for Cincinnati's future.
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    19 m
  • Cincinnati's Pension Liability

    Cincinnati's Pension Liability
    Jun 30 2025
    Cincinnati's pension crisis looms larger than ever, and ignoring it isn't an option. The city's current approach—with a $64 million surplus just sitting on the sidelines—is stagnating progress. Asset sales are a band-aid, not a cure, and the risks involved in regionalizing the waterworks make it a gamble we can't afford to lose. Our episode spotlights the city's hesitance to act on the straightforward advice from pension trust trustees: incrementally increase employer contributions. This simple yet effective strategy could revitalize the pension fund by 2045. Instead, Cincinnati's priorities lie elsewhere, leaving one of its most critical financial obligations in jeopardy.

    Join Todd as he scrutinizes the city's financial strategies and call for an urgent reallocation of resources. Redirecting surplus funds to tackle urgent pension liabilities, deferred maintenance, and infrastructure deficits is not just prudent, but essential for ensuring the financial stability of both the city and its employees. We argue for a shift in focus from new commitments to honoring existing promises, like those to the pension participants. Together, let's address these looming liabilities head-on, making sure they no longer overshadow Cincinnati's financial future.
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    18 m