Multiple arrests following 'disorder and violence' at Reds Opening Day

David Ferrara, Aaron Valdez, Quinlan Bentley and Erin Glynn, Cincinnati EnquirerFri, March 27, 2026 at 10:14 AM UTC

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Dozens of Cincinnati police officers armed with riot shields, nonlethal shotguns and pepper spray shut down The Banks late Thursday evening after police said large crowds became disorderly following the Reds Opening Day game.

At about 8 p.m. March 26, an Enquirer reporter at the scene observed officers lined shoulder to shoulder at both ends of The Banks along Freedom Way. Downtown Capt. David Schofield ordered officers to advance and split the crowd, clearing the entertainment district.

As officers moved forward, they encountered resistance. Some officers used wrist ties to detain individuals as the crowd was pushed apart. At 8:25 p.m., police began issuing commands over a megaphone, repeatedly announcing: “The Banks is now closed.”

Bars closed their patrons in and security ushered those on patios to leave as police advanced. People fell over, dropping their outdoor drink cups and losing phones and eyeglasses. The crowd yelled out as people asked aloud what was going on and where they were expected to go.

The crowd moved slowly with many unresponsive to officers as they advanced. They settled about a third of the way into The Banks on both sides before coming to a pause and holding the line.

Interim Cincinnati Police Chief Adam Hennie and several commanders were present, along with dozens of Cincinnati officers, Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies and Ohio State Highway Patrol officers. Police were visible on both sides of The Banks as officers worked to clear the area.

Just before 9:10 p.m., police issued additional announcements over loudspeakers, declaring a curfew and ordering people to leave immediately. Multiple warnings were given.

"This is your official warning," an officer announced from the loudspeaker of an armored SWAT vehicle. "It is time to go home."

Cincinnati police declared The Banks closed just after 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26 as crowds gathered after Reds Opening Day in downtown Cincinnati.Interim police chief says multiple arrests were made

Hennie said police began responding earlier in the evening after receiving multiple calls about large, unruly crowds in Downtown and Over-the-Rhine following Opening Day festivities.

“There was quite a bit of disorder and violence,” Hennie said.

Officers were at times unable to reach victims because of resistance from the crowd, he said. Police also received reports of civilians using chemical irritants on one another and reports that some people had been shocked with a Taser.

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Hennie said multiple arrests were made, though an exact number was not immediately available. He characterized the department’s use of force as “minimal.”

Opening Day crowds were largely uneventful

Not everyone present saw signs of trouble before the police response.

Cecilia Wittry, of Wilder, Kentucky, said she had been at The Banks since early afternoon and did not witness arguments or fights. Around 8 p.m., she heard loud commotion as police began clearing Freedom Way.

Cincinnati police officers lined up at The Banks during a large police response on March 26, 2026.

Throughout the day, many bars and streets at The Banks were filled to the brim with people, shoulder-to-shoulder. However, little commotion outside of rallying for the Reds or music blaring was heard by the crowd at large.

Ken Kober, police union president, said the response followed hours of unruly behavior, largely involving juveniles getting into fights.

Kober said SWAT officers and the Civil Disturbance Response Team were deployed. He added that similar disturbances were reported in Over-the-Rhine near Vine and Liberty streets and around Fountain Square.

As Cincinnati police advanced upon a crowd deemed unruly at The Banks on March 26, 2026, several people fell over and dropped their belongings.

An Enquirer reporter at Smale Riverfront Park saw small skirmishes between juveniles. Police on bikes with nonlethal shotguns would run over and quell the disorder before it would pick up again shortly after.

Police first cleared Vine Street before moving into The Banks and Smale Riverfront Park. A police cruiser was also positioned to block access to the Roebling Suspension Bridge.

Ahead of the event, Schofield said all of the department's resources will be "brought to bear" for the event.

As police ushered crowds away from The Banks, people stumbled their way outside yellow police tape wrapped around planters along the street. Red and blue lights shimmered off bar windows. Wind blew empty cups and hot dog trays down the block.

The Banks was closed for the night.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati police close The Banks, make arrests after Reds Opening Day

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