Sharonville police lieutenant indicted over alleged misuse of license plate cameras

A police lieutenant faces a felony charge after prosecutors accused him of using license plate surveillance technology to track someone for personal reasons. Hamilton County prosecutors announced that Lt. Walter Cordes of Sharonville was indicted on Oct. 13, 2026, on one count of unauthorized use of a computer, cable or telecommunications property. Police lieutenant allegedly…

ByNina OliverioOctober 16, 20260Comments

Cincinnati gang data illustration showing a police incident report with “None/Unknown” selected for gang involvement.

Community Safety Special Report

Does Cincinnati Have a Gang Problem? Its Crime Data Can’t Say.

Gunfire killed 18-year-old Avante Baker Beatty on Lexington Avenue in Avondale at 4:28 p.m. on Sept. 27, 2021. Cincinnati police reported his killing to state and federal crime databases under the code Ohio labels "No Gang Involvement." His record is one line in Cincinnati gang data, and the data almost never says "gang." In fall…

ByAdam KoehlerOctober 6, 20260Comments

Cincinnati ALPR System Monitors Vehicles on City Roads

News Safety

Eight Companies Bid on Cincinnati’s License Plate Readers

Cincinnati set aside $360,000 to replace and expand its police license plate readers. Eight companies bid for the work, and public records don't show who they are or which three ranked highest. A Jan. 22 memo from City Manager Sheryl Long describes the Cincinnati ALPR procurement in two sentences. "Evaluation committee scores submitted and corresponding…

ByAdam KoehlerSeptember 26, 20260Comments