Chief Hetrick and I are deeply concerned with recent incidents within our downtown. We met with local bar owners who share this concern and we collectively have made plans to address these current safety issues. The resounding sentiment from the City and bar owners is that this behavior will not be tolerated in the City of Bowling Green and we are all prepared to do all that is necessary to ensure it stops.
The Police Division has and will continue to provide extra officers on Friday and Saturday nights for an increased presence and to attend to criminal and traffic violations specifically in the downtown area. Additionally, the Police Division has been in contact with our law enforcement partners including BGSU Police, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio Highway Patrol. Each entity has committed to assisting with these efforts and will provide extra patrols in and around the city during the weekends.
In the downtown area, property owners adjacent to the locations that were involved in the shootings that occurred on July 31 and October 2, 2021, are taking steps to prohibit loitering, large gatherings and illegal parking. Specifically, the lot between Howard’s and Liquid will be closed and posted no trespassing, loitering or illegal parking. Enforcement of this no trespassing order will be conducted throughout the weekend by the Bowling Green Police Division. Persons found in the lot will be cited and illegally parked vehicles will be towed.
It is our sincere hope that these steps will help stop the violence that has been occurring in our downtown area and make it a peaceful and enjoyable location for citizens once again. We remain committed to adjusting these action steps if necessary.