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Cincinnati is accelerating a major security camera installation after the fatal New Year’s Day shooting of 11-year-old QueenEr’Re Reed at a West End playground. City leaders say they will install or repair more than 90 cameras, with the total possibly reaching 99, over the next several weeks. Officials say the cameras will aid investigations and deter crime. However, residents criticize delays in fulfilling earlier promises. Community members welcome the effort. They stress that cameras must be maintained and paired with broader violence prevention and community safety programs.
Security camera installation is underway in Cincinnati after the deadly playground shooting in the West End.
The city said it will install and repair nearly 100 cameras to improve public safety and help future investigations.
Security camera installation became a central response as community leaders and families demanded action after the shooting death of an 11-year-old girl in a neighborhood park this winter.
Cincinnati officials pledged a major security camera installation initiative this month after a deadly shooting at a neighborhood playground. This incident reignited questions about surveillance, community safety and unfulfilled promises.
WCPO reported that the city plans to install and repair more than 90 security cameras over the coming weeks. The goal is to deter crime and assist law enforcement in investigations.
Security camera installation plan expands after tragedy
City leaders say security camera installation throughout Cincinnati will include new cameras and repairs to existing ones. Work is expected to be completed within about four weeks.
Mayor Aftab Pureval and Council members announced the initiative as part of a broader public safety strategy. This followed the shooting death of 11-year-old QueenEr’Re Reed on New Year’s Day at Laurel Playground in the West End, WLWT reported.
Reed was fatally shot while playing with cousins at the park, and her death devastated family and neighbors. Federal authorities are offering a reward for information in the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is assisting Cincinnati Police in the investigation.
The tragedy not only brought grief but intense scrutiny over why security cameras promised years earlier had not been installed. After the 2023 fatal shooting of another 11-year-old, Dominic Davis, cameras were pledged for the West End. However, these remained mostly uninstalled until now. Residents and family members criticized city leaders for delays in deploying promised surveillance technology.
City council ramps up security camera installation
According to city officials, more than 90 cameras citywide will be installed or repaired, including units in the West End and other neighborhoods. Council member Mark Jeffreys said the total number could reach 99 cameras. This reflects both new hardware and fixes for existing units that are not operational.
“We recognize, look, cameras are not a proactive way to prevent crime, because, you know, but they are a way to identify those involved with them,” Jeffreys told reporters.
Officials said cameras already placed in the West End will soon be fully operational. Additionally, more units are being deployed with urgency.
City Manager Sheryl Long noted that six new cameras have been installed recently in targeted areas and six more will be added shortly. Beyond local funding, Congressman Greg Landsman says he secured more than $1 million in federal funds to expand Cincinnati’s surveillance network. However, that funding still awaits Senate approval.
Community reactions to camera expansion
Families and community leaders expressed mixed reactions to the city’s plan. While some residents welcome security camera installation as a promising step to improve safety, many remain frustrated that it took a child’s death to accelerate progress.
“The questions we’re going to have as a community is, if you install as some optics for city hall to make it look like you’re doing something, are they actually being maintained?” O’Brien said in a report by WCPO 9.
“Do you also have a budget to sustain them, an audit to make sure they’re working, an effectiveness assessment to make sure they’re pointed at the right places?”
Others stressed that cameras should be paired with additional safety measures, including community programs and better police engagement. Isaac Davis, whose son was killed in the same park years earlier, has advocated for technology and broader violence prevention efforts, according to Fox 19.
In a city council meeting, Davis confronted officials as an “angry dad,” urging faster progress on both security camera installation and community support programs to prevent future tragedies.
Surveillance context and unanswered questions
Despite the deployment of cameras, residents and some council members say more work remains. Local reporting indicates that cameras previously promised to protect children in the West End were not facing critical areas. For example, they did not cover Laurel Playground at the time of Reed’s death.
Council members acknowledged logistical hurdles in securing permission from property owners to install cameras and repair equipment. Some officials said that while many devices are operational, delays in coordination have slowed the rollout. This has frustrated neighbourhood leaders.
At least one council member, Mark Jeffreys, said the city must act more urgently to deliver on surveillance promises and related safety enhancements. “We need these cameras up where they count,” he said.
Police and investigation efforts tied to cameras
City police are coordinating with Cincinnati’s camera network team to rapidly increase coverage and optimize footage collection. The surveillance push comes as police continue to ask the public for help in identifying suspects in Reed’s shooting. This includes offering tips through Crime Stoppers and other avenues.
Experts note that while cameras alone do not prevent all violent incidents, widespread security camera installation can help investigators track suspects, gather evidence and improve response times after violent crimes. Local police chiefs say they are working to ensure the network yields actionable results.
Broader push for safety after West End violence
The playground shooting joins a series of violent incidents that have concerned Cincinnati residents. Multiple shootings over recent years — including the earlier death of Dominic Davis and other victims in and around the West End — have placed pressure on city leaders to deliver comprehensive safety solutions.
City council approved a multi-million-dollar public safety plan that includes funding for cameras, lighting and community programs, but implementation has lagged in some areas. Local advocates continue to call for faster execution and more community-driven policies that address root causes of violence.
As Cincinnati accelerates security camera installation and repairs, officials say they are hopeful the network will strengthen investigations and deter future crimes. Community leaders remain cautiously optimistic. They emphasize that cameras are one part of a larger effort to protect children and residents in all neighbourhoods.
FAQs
Were cameras previously promised for the West End?
Yes. City leaders had pledged to install cameras in the West End after the 2023 shooting death of another 11-year-old near the same playground. However, many of those cameras were never installed or were not operational before the 2025 shooting.
How long will the camera installation take?
According to city officials, the installation and repair work is expected to take about four weeks, though timelines may vary depending on location, equipment availability and site approvals.
Who is paying for the security cameras?
Funding comes from a combination of city public safety funds and potential federal grants. Congressman Greg Landsman has said he secured more than $1 million in federal funding for surveillance expansion, though some funds still require final approval.
Will the cameras prevent future shootings?
City leaders and police acknowledge that cameras alone cannot prevent all violent crime. However, officials say security cameras can deter criminal activity, help identify suspects and provide critical evidence during investigations.
How will police use the camera footage?
Cincinnati Police say footage will support investigations by helping track suspects, confirm timelines and provide evidence for arrests and prosecutions. Cameras are part of a broader public safety strategy that includes patrols and community engagement.
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