Neighbors express concern about Taser use on a minor

Notes

Monica Hill, president of the Madisonville Community Council, called the Oct. 15, 2026, general body meeting to order at 6:41 p.m. Announcements and discussions during the meeting clustered on concerns about youth, education and affordability. Attendance was not taken. The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

Police Discuss Use of Taser on a Minor

Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) District 2 Captain R. Wilson opened the floor [3:40 in audio file] to questions regarding a recent incident in which a District 2 Cincinnati police officer used a Taser on a minor. Many in attendance had seen a video of the incident (possibly this) and commented on apparent brutality. Several people raised concerns about emotional  trauma, safety risks and racism.

Wilson said he could not discuss specifics of the incident because it is the subject of an ongoing investigation. CPD District 2, the district that includes Madisonville, is conducting the investigation internally in response to a formal complaint.

According to Wilson, “there were juveniles actively fighting” when officers arrived on the scene. Officers issued verbal commands to “stop” and “leave,” but “two juveniles decided to ignore those commands and they actually squared up to fight.” 

After verbal commands failed, the “Taser is an appropriate use of force,” Wilson said, adding that using a Taser is the lowest level use of force.

Former community council president Kate Botos asked how many children Cincinnati police officers have Tased in the past 12 months. Wilson did not have the data readily available, but said, “I know it’s more than three.”

A Taser fires for five seconds each time it is discharged, but an officer may discharge the taser multiple times, Wilson said. Officers must be able to justify their decision every time they deploy the Taser. CPD does not distinguish between adults and children in their policies for using Tasers.

When the internal investigation is complete, the findings will be public record, Wilson said.

School Funding Levy on the Ballot as Schools Seek Donations, Volunteers

Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) Board of Education member Jim Crosset spoke on the proposed school levy. Representatives from public schools in Madisonville announced programming updates and described the impact of recent budget cuts.

The state of Ohio has decreased the amount of funding it provides to public schools, and as a result, CPS has cut its budget 15% in the last three years [28:50]. If the proposed levy fails, the next cuts “will be teachers, bus routes, athletics,” Crosset said.

Community council youth coordinator Toni Tanks presented [37:07] on behalf of Shroder Middle School because the school’s principal works another job after school, she said. The school has high achieving seventh and eighth grade students even as the school struggles to operate in the wake of budget cuts, Tanks said. The school is seeking donors to “adopt a class” and volunteers to support English Language Arts tutoring, small group reading and math practice, student confidence building, or anywhere that they may be willing. But the school’s biggest issue, Tanks said, is student attendance, because students “have heard rumors” about the school that have made them less comfortable.

John P. Parker School requested $200 from Madisonville Community Council’s Neighborhood Support Program (NSP) fund to support their upcoming fall party [1:02:51]. The community council voted unanimously (15/0/0) in support of granting the funding.

Bramble Nature Campus is now enrolling students.

A Growing Number of Families Seeking Food Support

The Madisonville Education and Assistance Center (MEAC) has enrolled 30 to 40 new families each of the last few months in their MEAC Marketplace food pantry program, said community council vice president Dave Kappesser. MEAC is in need of donations and volunteers to meet the growing demand.

Family of Carolyn Winstead to Donate and Dedicate Bench

The family of Carolyn Winstead is seeking to dedicate a bench in her name in memory of her life and service to Madisonville, Hill said. Winstead’s family will pay for the bench and take care of the installation but is seeking permission from the community council and suggestions on where to install the bench.

Bramble Park Trail Project Enters Bidding Phase

Jason Barron and Travis Miller of Cincinnati Parks presented updates on a multipurpose pedestrian and bike trail planned for Bramble Park. The Ohio Department of Transportation awarded the project a $130,000 grant. Bidding will soon be open to any eligible contractor registered with the city.

The 1,000-foot trail will begin at the parking lot, go through the woods, and connect to the picnic shelter. A few trees will be removed, but the trail will curve around a number of trees that will be preserved. The trail will have a gradual slope and will replace a steep portion of an existing trail to improve accessibility.

Printed copies of plans for the trail were distributed at the meeting; see attachment.

Sidewalk Hospitality Deemed a Success

Community Happens Here founder Ruth Ann Wolfe and executive director Tyler Chernesky presented findings from bringing the Sidewalk Hospitality program to Madisonville over the summer.

The nonprofit hosted Sidewalk Hospitality, a program of activating public space with lemonade and conversation, 21 times in Madisonville for a total of 253 visitors, including adults and youth.

“Youth love the chance to talk to a trusted adult,” Wolfe said. [1:18:11]

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