At least two and perhaps more officers from the Cincinnati Police Division or the Ohio State Highway Patrol will accompany firefighters on all calls in the zone. Since Tuesday, police have been accompanying firefighters there in the evening, but the 24-hour requirement came as added protection, Chief Zompero said. Waiting for police who could be on other calls could mean delays, he said, though police are now stationed in many of the firehouses. But now our major concern is to get there safely. When you're in a war-like zone, you're taking too many risks without protection.
Firefighters have mixed feelings.
David Johnson, a firefighter for 10 years. It's just in case you get those guys that are out of hand. And we are city figures. You get those guys who think we are part of the problem. Firefighter Benjamin Thomas said the police presence may disrupt firefighters' relationship with people in the community.