What started as a bustling hub for business is now, according to one local CEO, no longer safe for employees—or anyone, for that matter.
The tipping point? A viral street brawl that’s sparked outrage, fear, and a very public exodus from downtown Cincinnati.
Victor Louis, founder and CEO of One Logistics Network, says he’s had enough.
From Corporate Hub to “Unlivable”: A Business Owner’s Breaking Point
Victor Louis has long called downtown Cincinnati home for his logistics firm.
But after witnessing the area’s rapid decline—and a shocking public assault—he decided to pack up and move his entire 35-person team to the suburb of Blue Ash.
“The brawl was just the final straw,” Louis told the Daily Mail during a tour of the city.
“Even if it hadn’t happened, most people wouldn’t believe how bad it’s gotten unless they saw it for themselves.”
The Viral Brawl That Sparked the Exodus
The July 26 street fight, which saw a man and woman violently attacked by several men, quickly made national headlines.
But instead of swift accountability, Police Chief Teresa Theetge scolded the media for supposedly taking clips “out of context.”
For Louis, that response was baffling. “Cincinnati deserves the spotlight right now,” he said, referencing the unchecked crime and drug use he sees daily.
“That fight wasn’t random—it’s a symptom of deeper issues.”
A Walk Through a City in Decline
On Monday morning—usually peak rush hour—the streets were almost empty.
What the Daily Mail team did witness, however, painted a disturbing picture.
Just steps from City Hall, a young woman was openly injecting drugs while a nearby man’s arm gushed with blood from doing the same.
“This is what you see in broad daylight,” Louis said. “And nobody’s doing anything.”
He added, “If that’s what’s happening in front of City Hall, how can we expect anything else to be under control?”
No Shame, No Enforcement
From homeless individuals defecating in the open, to people openly brandishing weapons, Louis says there’s no longer any semblance of order downtown.
He described how drug users were sitting on park benches shooting up in full view of churchgoers.
“No one’s even trying to hide it anymore,” he said. “And there’s no visible police presence.”
The lack of accountability is what ultimately pushed him to write an open letter to the city’s leadership: “My staff don’t feel safe.
They’re done coming downtown.”
“They Can’t Even Handle Litter”: Louis Slams City Leadership
Louis didn’t hold back in his criticism of Cincinnati’s local government, claiming that “woke” city leaders have failed to get a handle on even the basics—like cleaning the streets or managing vagrancy.
“When you can’t fix things like trash and drug use, how are you going to solve violent crime?” he asked.
“It’s like asking someone to play chess when they can’t even play checkers.”
A Surge in Crime and Tragedy
Recent events have only fueled the tension.
On July 4, a police officer was burned with fireworks by a crowd of unruly youth.
Just weeks before, local business owner Patrick Heringer was murdered while defending his family from an intruder.
The suspect, 38-year-old Mordecia Black, had reportedly cut off his ankle monitor and gone missing from a halfway house months earlier.
“These aren’t isolated events anymore,” Louis said. “This is the pattern now.”
The Restaurant Industry Speaks Out Too
Louis isn’t alone in his frustration. A coalition of Cincinnati restaurant owners also released a statement following the viral brawl, demanding immediate action from city leadership.
They emphasized their investment in the city—financial and personal—and called for a concrete, actionable plan.
“No more vague promises. We need real solutions,” they said.
Mayor Promises More Patrols—But Residents See No Change
Mayor Aftab Pureval has responded by saying more police will be deployed, but during Monday’s tour, Daily Mail reporters didn’t see a single officer downtown.
Meanwhile, drug use in the open continued unchecked.
“There is no place for violent crime in Cincinnati,” Pureval stated.
“We will pursue and hold accountable those responsible—no matter who they are.”
The Victim Speaks: “Still Recovering From Brain Trauma”
One of the victims of the July 26 brawl, a woman named Holly, finally broke her silence with a heartfelt message.
“I’m still recovering from severe brain trauma,” she said, visibly emotional.
“But the support has been overwhelming. It’s what’s keeping me going.”
Holly, a single mother, is reportedly in hiding due to threats and unable to work.
A fundraiser launched by political commentator Benny Johnson has raised $168,000 for her so far.
More Arrests and a Shocking Twist
The latest arrest in connection to the fight came on Friday.
Dominique Kittle, 37, was charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot, with a bond set at $150,000.
His lawyer claimed he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
Three others—Jermaine Matthews, 39, Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dekyra Vernon, 24—had already been arrested earlier in the week.
Adding another layer to the controversy, new footage shows one of the men who police identified as a victim using a racial slur just moments before the fight began.
This video, released by a defense attorney, is now sparking fresh debate.
A City at a Crossroads
For Victor Louis, the situation is clear: downtown Cincinnati is no longer a safe or viable place to do business.
“I’ve tried. But it’s time to protect my staff and move on,” he said.
“And if the city doesn’t step up soon, more businesses will follow.”
His warning is stark, but it’s echoed by many: without real change, the heart of Cincinnati may keep beating—but fewer people will be sticking around to hear it.
