Cincinnati Police move crowd away from Banks
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, dozens of Cincinnati police wearing riot shields, non-lethal shotguns and pepper spray divided a crowd at The Banks and imposed an “overnight lockdown.”
Dozens of Cincinnati police armed with riot shields, non-lethal shotguns and pepper spray locked down The Banks late Thursday night after police said a large crowd became disorderly after the Reds’ season opener.
At about 8 p.m. on March 26, an Enquirer reporter at the scene saw police officers lined up shoulder-to-shoulder on both ends of The Banks along Freedom Way. Downtown Capt. David Schofield ordered officers to move forward to break up the crowd and clear it from the entertainment district.
As officers moved forward, they encountered resistance. Some officers used wrist ties to restrain individuals as the crowd spread out. At 8:25 p.m., police began issuing commands over a megaphone, repeatedly announcing, “Banks are currently closed.”
As police moved forward, the bar was closed to patrons and security guards directed patrons on the patio out. Some people dropped their drink cups outside and fell over, and others lost their cell phones and glasses. The crowd screamed as people loudly asked what was going on and where they were going.
The crowd moved slowly, many unresponsive to officers. They paused about a third of the way down either side of The Banks and maintained their line.
Interim Cincinnati Police Chief Adam Henney and several commanders were in attendance, as well as dozens of Cincinnati police officers, Hamilton County sheriff’s deputies and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers. Police officers could be seen clearing the area on both sides of The Banks.
Just before 9:10 p.m., police made an additional announcement over the loudspeaker, declaring a curfew and ordering people to leave immediately. Multiple warnings have been issued.
“This is an official warning,” a police officer announced over the armored SWAT vehicle’s loudspeaker. “It’s time to go home.”
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Henney said police began responding early in the evening after receiving multiple calls about large, unruly crowds in downtown and Over-the-Rhine after the opening ceremony celebrations.
Cincinnati Police move crowd away from Banks
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, dozens of Cincinnati police wearing riot shields, non-lethal shotguns and pepper spray divided a crowd at The Banks and imposed an “overnight lockdown.”
“There was quite a bit of disorder and violence,” Henney said.
Officers were sometimes unable to contact the victims because of crowd resistance. Police also received reports of civilians using chemical irritants on each other and that some people were shocked with Tasers.
Henney said there were multiple arrests, but the exact number was not immediately available. He characterized the department’s use of force as “minimal.”
The crowd on the first day was mostly calm.
Not everyone at the scene saw any signs of trouble before police responded.
Cecilia Whitley, of Wilder, Kentucky, said she was at Banks in the early afternoon and did not witness any altercations or fights. Around 8 p.m., she heard a loud commotion as police began clearing Freedom Way.
The Banks’ many bars and streets were filled with people standing shoulder to shoulder throughout the day. However, little noise other than the Reds’ rally and the blaring music could be heard by the general crowd.
Police union president Ken Kober said the response was in response to several hours of unruly behavior that included mainly fights between juveniles.
Korver said SWAT officers and a civil disturbance response team were deployed. He added that similar disturbances have been reported in Over-the-Rhine near Vine and Liberty streets and around Fountain Square.
An Enquirer reporter at Smale Riverfront Park witnessed a small skirmish between boys. Police on motorcycles armed with non-lethal shotguns broke up the disturbance, which resumed soon after.
Police first cleared Vine Street, then entered Banks and Smale Riverfront Park. Police cruisers were also deployed to prevent access to the Roebling Suspension Bridge.
Ahead of the event, Schofield said all of the department’s resources would be “committed” to the event.
Yellow police tape was wrapped around planters along the street and people stumbled out as police moved the crowd away from The Banks. Red and blue lights twinkled through the bar’s windows. The wind blew empty cups and hot dog trays across the block.
the bank was closed at night.
