Lincoln Heights forms armed protection group after rally

The Lincoln Heights Safety and Watch program was created after a neo-Nazi rally on February 7, where the group displayed swastikas and shouted racial slurs near the majority-Black community. Residents felt unsafe due to the police's lack of action during the incident. Members of the community, including armed volunteers, now patrol the area to ensure safety, especially for children. They express distrust in law enforcement's ability to protect them, prompting the formation of this initiative. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey has called for new laws to address intimidation through masked open carry. She acknowledges residents' concerns but warns that armed confrontations could escalate tensions in the community.