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Saint Francis Seraph School Principal Gineen Enneking asked Cincinnati City Council to address safety conditions surrounding the school in Over-the-Rhine. She cited public drug use, alcohol consumption, public urination, and other disruptive behavior near the campus. The comments came during a City Council meeting as discussions continue about public safety and social service programs in northern Over-the-Rhine. Police data shows long-term declines in some violent crime categories, although certain areas continue to experience public disorder and criminal activity.
Over-the-Rhine was once considered one of Cincinnati’s most crime-ridden neighborhoods.
Major redevelopment efforts over the past two decades helped reduce violent crime and attract new residents and businesses. However, some sections of northern Over-the-Rhine continue to face persistent challenges related to drug activity, homelessness, public disorder, and safety concerns, according to residents, police reports, and local media coverage.
On Wednesday, Saint Francis Seraph School Principal Gineen Enneking appeared before Cincinnati City Council to raise concerns about conditions surrounding the school in Over-the-Rhine.
In a report by FOX19, Enneking said students regularly encounter public drug use, alcohol consumption, public urination, and other disruptive behavior near the intersection of Vine and Liberty streets.
“It’s not uncommon for us to clear up liquor bottles, beer cans right in this area, people defecate right here on our stoop or urinate, have sex, do drugs,” Enneking said.
She urged city leaders to focus on student safety and provide immediate solutions for conditions she believes put children at risk every day.
The principal emphasized that her appearance before council was not intended to debate the future of the proposed Center of Care project in the neighborhood.
Instead, she focused on the daily challenges students, families, and staff face when arriving at and leaving school. According to reports from FOX19, Enneking described incidents that have forced school administrators to take additional precautions, including lockdown procedures during student dismissal periods.
Enneking told council members that staff frequently clean up litter and evidence of illegal activity around the school. She questioned what actions city leaders plan to take to ensure students can travel to and from school safely. Her remarks highlighted growing concerns among parents and community members about conditions in portions of northern Over-the-Rhine.
Also read: Over-the-Rhine shooting leaves one injured near school dismissal
OTR school safety concerns reach City Hall
Enneking described a range of behaviors occurring near school property that she believes create an unsafe environment for children. According to FOX19, she told council members that staff regularly encounter liquor bottles, beer cans, public defecation, public urination, drug activity, and other inappropriate conduct near school entrances.
The school serves students in one of Cincinnati’s most historic neighborhoods. Saint Francis Seraph School sits near several social service organizations and community facilities that provide assistance to vulnerable populations. While those services play an important role in the community, some residents and business owners have raised concerns about public safety and quality-of-life issues in the area.
Recent reporting from WCPO has documented ongoing challenges near Saint Francis Seraph Church and surrounding streets. Reports have described open-air drug activity, public disorder, litter, and trespassing concerns in parts of northern Over-the-Rhine. Cincinnati police have implemented several strategies to address those issues, including street barricades and increased enforcement efforts.
Enneking said the school’s concerns focus specifically on protecting children who attend classes in the neighborhood. She called on city officials to provide stronger safeguards around the campus before students return for the new school year.
Moreover, the principal reportedly raised the issue to Mayor Aftab Pureval, saying Pureval had already been in their school in Fall.
“You (Pureval) came, you saw, you were surprised, the only thing I got from that was a connection to Cincinnati Police Captain in District 1,” Enneking said.
Neighborhood conditions remain under scrutiny
The concerns raised before council come amid broader discussions about public safety in Over-the-Rhine.
Over the past year, neighborhood residents, church leaders, and business owners have voiced concerns about criminal activity and disorder in areas north of Liberty Street.
According to WCPO reporting, leaders associated with Saint Francis Seraph Church have previously reported issues involving crowds gathering outside church property, open containers, drug activity, and trespassing. Church officials have installed no-trespassing signs and considered additional security measures to discourage unlawful behavior.
WCPO also reported that Cincinnati police launched efforts to disrupt illegal drug activity in the area by installing temporary barricades on Republic Street. District One Commander Capt. Matthew Hammer said police have observed signs of improvement, although officials continue monitoring nearby streets for ongoing problems.
The area surrounding Saint Francis Seraph School has received significant attention due to its proximity to social service programs and community outreach organizations. City leaders continue to evaluate long-term solutions intended to balance neighborhood safety with support services for vulnerable residents.
Several recent discussions have centered on plans for a future Center of Care facility. According to reports, city officials and community partners have explored creating a centralized location where service providers could assist individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, and other challenges. The proposal remains under development.
School leaders seek immediate solutions
Enneking told council members that the school needs immediate action rather than long-term planning discussions. She said students should not have to witness illegal activity while traveling to and from school.
Among the measures discussed during public conversations surrounding the neighborhood are:
- Increased police visibility near schools
- Additional security cameras
- Improved street lighting
- Enhanced enforcement of existing laws
- Greater coordination between city agencies and community organizations
The principal’s comments reflect concerns that extend beyond school administration. Parents and community advocates have increasingly called for improvements that create a safer environment for children attending schools in urban neighborhoods.
Saint Francis Seraph School remains an important educational institution in Over-the-Rhine. According to the school’s website, Enneking is serving as principal during the 2026-27 school year.
OTR school safety debate continues
The discussion is likely to continue as city officials consider future investments and policy decisions affecting the neighborhood. Public safety remains a priority issue for residents, schools, businesses, and service organizations operating in Over-the-Rhine.
Pureval did not respond during the public comment session in which Enneking addressed the council, according to FOX19. The mayor’s office also did not immediately provide a public response to the concerns raised during the meeting.
Students are expected to return to Saint Francis Seraph School later this month. School officials hope city leaders will take steps to address safety concerns before classes resume.
The situation highlights the challenge many cities face when balancing social services, neighborhood revitalization, and public safety. For families at Saint Francis Seraph School, the focus remains on ensuring children can learn in a safe environment free from exposure to illegal activity and public disorder.
If you’re writing about Saint Francis Seraph School and the principal’s concerns, it’s important to present a balanced picture. Over-the-Rhine (OTR) has historically been one of Cincinnati’s higher-crime neighborhoods, but crime trends have generally improved over the past decade, even though some specific areas continue to experience persistent problems.
How serious is crime in Over-the-Rhine?
The answer depends on the crime type and time period.
According to Cincinnati Police Department data cited by WCPO, OTR has seen a long-term decline in shootings and violent crime since the late 2000s.
In 2009, the neighborhood recorded 71 shootings, the highest level in recent records. Since then, shootings have generally decreased year after year, although periodic spikes still occur.
However, OTR remains one of Cincinnati’s most crime-impacted neighborhoods for gun violence. In 2024, Cincinnati recorded 296 shooting incidents citywide, and OTR had 33 reported shootings, the highest total among Cincinnati neighborhoods that year.
Recent crime indicators
| Indicator | Data |
| OTR shootings in 2009 | 71 shootings |
| OTR shootings in 2024 | 33 shootings |
| Citywide shootings in 2024 | 296 shootings |
| OTR homicide count (latest neighborhood report) | 0 in 2026 vs. 2 in prior comparison period |
| Robberies (latest CPD OTR report) | 17 vs. 14 prior-year comparison |
| Aggravated assaults (latest CPD OTR report) | Increased year over year |
The latest Cincinnati Police Department neighborhood report for OTR shows mixed results. Homicides declined compared with the prior reporting period, but robberies and aggravated assaults increased. Rape reports also rose during the comparison period.
Violent crime hotspots within OTR
WCPO’s analysis of police data found that several streets consistently generated the highest number of violent crime incidents since 2020:
- Main Street
- Vine Street
- East McMicken Avenue
Those corridors are close to the area where Saint Francis Seraph School is located and where community leaders have repeatedly raised concerns about public disorder, drug activity, and safety issues.
Public disorder vs. violent crime
One important distinction is that residents and school leaders often describe issues that are not always reflected in violent crime statistics.
The principal’s testimony focused heavily on:
- Public drug use
- Public intoxication
- Open containers
- Public urination and defecation
- Trespassing
- Disorderly conduct
These quality-of-life issues can create perceptions of danger even when violent crime is falling. Several reports from WCPO have documented such activity around northern OTR, including areas near Saint Francis Seraph Church and School.
What police say
Cincinnati police have implemented targeted enforcement efforts in northern OTR through initiatives such as PIVOT, a place-based violence reduction strategy. Police reported substantial reductions in shootings in targeted areas after the program’s implementation. A CPD report noted that shootings in OTR surged by 67 percent between 2019 and 2020, prompting the department to launch additional interventions in 2022.
More recent reporting showed a 45 percent decline in shootings over a six-month period in OTR, which police attributed to community cooperation, investigations, and focused enforcement efforts.
FAQs
Why did the Saint Francis Seraph School principal speak to the City Council?
Principal Gineen Enneking addressed Cincinnati City Council to discuss safety conditions surrounding the school. She cited public drug use, alcohol consumption, public urination, and other disruptive behavior near the campus.
Is crime still a major problem in Over-the-Rhine?
Crime levels are lower than they were during the late 2000s, particularly for shootings. However, certain sections of the neighborhood continue to experience violent crime, public disorder, and quality-of-life concerns.
What specific safety issues are affecting students?
School officials reported concerns involving public drug use, intoxication, trespassing, litter, and inappropriate conduct near school property. Administrators say students regularly encounter these issues while arriving at or leaving school.
What actions are being considered to improve safety?
Ideas discussed publicly include increased police presence, additional security cameras, better lighting, stronger enforcement of laws, and improved coordination between public agencies and community organizations.
