Cincinnati police shut down The Banks, clearing people out and made multiple arrests across the Downtown and Over-the-Rhine after they received reports of disorderly behavior following the Reds Opening Day festivities Thursday evening.
Interim Cincinnati Police Chief Hennie said officers began responding early evening, March 26, after receiving multiple calls about large and unruly crowds.
“There was quite a bit of disorder and violence,” Hennie said.
Here’s everything we know about what happened:
What happened at The Banks in Cincinnati?
Dozens of 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., an Enquirer reporter saw 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. There was confusion with people in the crowd asking loudly what was going on and where they were expected to go.
The crowd moved slowly with many people unresponsive to officers as they advanced.
Hennie and several commanders were present, along with dozens of Cincinnati officers, SWAT, Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies, 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.
The Banks was mostly cleared by 10 p.m. as people stumbled their way outside yellow police tape wrapped around planters along the street.
Where else was ‘disorder and violence’ reported?
Interim Cincinnati Police Chief Adam Hennie standing at The Banks during a large police response on March 26, 2026.
Ken Kober, police union president, said similar disturbances were reported in Over-the-Rhine near Vine and Liberty streets and around Fountain Square.
An Enquirer reporter at Smale Riverfront Park saw small skirmishes between juveniles. Police on bikes carrying nonlethal shotguns would run over, quell the disorder and 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. The bridge was back open on Friday morning.
How many arrests were made?
Hennie said multiple arrests were made, though an exact number was not immediately available. He characterized the department’s use of force as “minimal.”
Was anybody injured?
Cincinnati Reds fans navigate crime scene tape after police declared The Banks closed on Opening Day, March 26, 2026.
Police did not report any major injuries. However, Hennie said they received reports of civilians using chemical irritants on one another and reports that some people had been shocked with a Taser.
Officers were at times unable to reach victims because of resistance from the crowds, he said.
The Enquirer will update this report
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati police close The Banks, make arrests after Opening Day
