Cincinnati, in the grip of increasing violence, is looking for ways to make residents safer. The latest effort, though—a gun “buyback” held on Monday—won’t cause a ripple in crime rates, said criminal justice experts.
“They really want to do something meaningful, but they are hurting,” noted Illya Ibbott. “We need to find ways to sustainably go after this problem.” University of Cincinnati criminal justice professor John Eck concurred. “There is no evidence they are effective,” he stated. “It is sort of like bailing out a stopped bath tub with a thimble while the water is running.”
Eck understands that the crime problem in Cincinnati is not one based on the supply of guns, but on the criminal demand for them. And Ibbott suggested more effective solutions toward that end. “I think we need more police on the streets,” he offered. “We need a lot more police presence not only when something happens, but before it happens.”
