Downtown Cincinnati Restaurant Owners Demand Effective Crime Solution

A Call for Action from Cincinnati's Restaurant Community

A group of downtown Cincinnati restaurateurs has issued a strong appeal to city officials, urging them to create a comprehensive plan to tackle rising violent crime in the area. This call comes after a video depicting a brutal early-morning fight went viral over the weekend, sparking outrage and concern among residents and business leaders alike.

The statement, released on July 29, was signed by several prominent figures in the local restaurant and hospitality industry, including Britney Ruby Miller of Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, John Barrett of Lytle Park Hotel and Western & Southern, and David Falk of Boca Restaurant Group. In their message, they expressed their deep commitment to the city and its people, emphasizing that they are willing to be part of the solution but are now asking civic leaders to take similar action with urgency and determination.

Cincinnati police have charged at least five individuals in connection with the incident, which took place near Fourth and Elm streets around 3 a.m. on July 26, according to Chief Teresa Theetge. However, as of Tuesday afternoon, no arrests had been made. Theetge noted that only one person among the "100s" present at the scene called 911. When police arrived six minutes later, the fight had already ended, and most of the people had left the area.

Several videos of the incident were shared on social media in the hours following the event. One clip showed a group of individuals attacking a man until he fell to the ground, where they continued to punch and kick him. Another video captured a man striking a woman in the face, causing her to fall and remain motionless until someone helped her up.

In their statement, the members of the downtown restaurant coalition expressed their heartbreak and anger over the incident, stressing that “clear, proactive, and corrective measures” are essential from city leaders. They emphasized that this is not a time for vague promises or delayed responses but rather for a real plan that addresses both the specific incident and the broader safety concerns that have persisted for months.

A Unified Voice for Safety and Accountability

The full statement from the coalition reads:

"As members of Cincinnati's restaurant and hospitality industry, we are heartbroken and outraged by the recent violent incident that occurred in our downtown core. The video circulating from that night is disturbing, and like many in this city, we are calling for accountability and decisive action.

"We are a united coalition—diverse in background, perspective, and political beliefs—but we stand together in condemning violence in any form. The safety of our guests, team members, and neighborhoods is nonnegotiable. It is a foundational expectation we all share.

"Our businesses represent thousands of employees and serve tens of thousands of guests each week. We've invested heavily in this city—not just financially, but with our time, presence, and long-term commitment to Cincinnati's success. But we cannot carry this alone. We need clear, proactive, and corrective measures from our city leadership.

"This is not a moment for vague promises or delayed responses. Our community is asking for a real plan—one that addresses this incident and the broader safety concerns that have been raised for months.

"We love this city. We invest in its people. We serve its neighborhoods. And we will continue to be part of the solution—but we are calling on civic leaders to do the same with urgency, transparency, and conviction."

The statement was signed by a wide range of restaurant owners and hospitality professionals, including:

• Britney Ruby Miller, Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment
• John Barrett, Lytle Park Hotel, Subito, and Western & Southern
• Jose Salazar, Salazar Restaurant Group
• David Falk, Boca Restaurant Group
• Bob Deck, Four Entertainment Group
• Joe Creighton, Creighton Concepts
• Jeremy Lieb, Sacred Beast
• Dick Williams, Skyline Chili
• Evan Andrews, Montgomery Inn
• Molly Wellmann, Molly Wellmann, LLC
• Cristian and Amanda Pietoso, Nicola's Forno Osteria + Bar, and Via Vite
• Anthony Sitek, Crown Republic Hospitality Group
• Jean-Francois Flechet, Taste of Belgium

This collective voice from the restaurant community highlights the urgent need for action and collaboration between business leaders and city officials to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors in Cincinnati.