Ferguson must learn from Cincinnati's riots

CINCINNATI — Just like in Ferguson, Mo., the unrest in Cincinnati started with the sound of gunfire. A young African-American man was dead in the street, shot down by a police officer.

The 2001 shooting of 19-year-old Timothy Thomas by Cincinnati Police officer Stephen Roach touched off days of protests, which turned violent. The uprising was a symptom of a much greater divide in the community, Cincinnati was largely segregated, and a mostly white police force was sent into mostly black neighborhoods to keep the peace.

"These were people that were just tired of feeling like they were living under the thumb of a group, or a police force that didn't represent them very well," said Michael Keating, a retired photojournalist who covered the aftermath for the Cincinnati Enquirer.

"The best lesson for Ferguson, at that point, is to be prepared, but to be prepared with measured response. Otherwise this thing could turn into a terrible war zone," Keating said.

He saw it first hand through the lens of his camera, documenting protesters with signs that read "Don't Shoot," just like in Ferguson.

"Follow some of the same blueprint they used in Cincinnati, where you create a dialogue in the community," Keating advised.

Cincinnati made several changes to the community in the years since 2001, some by choice, others by force. The police department was successfully integrated where now one out of every three police officers is African American, reflecting the community they serve. The last two police chiefs, including the current chief, are black.

But the problem also was about a lack of trust. The police department redeveloped its community policing initiatives, and a civilian complaint authority was created.

"When there is an officer-involved incident, there is someone from outside the department looking at it, along with intra-departmental resources looking at it," said Clyde Gray, a retired veteran news anchor who remains one of the most prominent African Americans in the city.

Gray admits Cincinnati still has issues to solve, but he says the healing there started with people not only talking to each other, but actually listening to each other.

"Over the long haul, what's going to help Ferguson heal is that everybody in Ferguson has got to get comfortable talking with everybody else in Ferguson," Gray said.

Cincinnati started looking to the future at the same time it embraced its history as a stop on the Underground Railroad during slavery. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center was built downtown between the football and baseball stadiums. However, it has struggled to draw visitors and financing since it opened.

The museum is a monument to a city's desire to change, but perhaps the most lasting monument is the message that Cincinnati can send to places such as Ferguson.

"You protest. OK, that's fine. But at some point in time somebody's got to hear what you're saying in your protest. You will turn a deaf ear to the protesters, but at some point in time, you've got to listen to somebody who has an experience different than yours if you're going to be an advocate for calm and healing in that community. And that's what they need. Calm and healing," Gray said.

Keefe also reports for WXIA-TV, Atlanta.