UC students targeted in string of Fairview robberies

CINCINNATI - Students living in Fairview seem to be the target of a string of robberies. Police say there have been eight robberies in Fairview in the past three months.

The latest happened Sunday at 252 Warner St. where police say two men robbed two University of Cincinnati students while a group of men served as a lookout right across the street.

 “It’s nice to live away from my parents but I can’t say I feel safe enough around here,” said UC sophomore Anna Harrison.

The District 5 Cincinnati Police Department is asking students to be more cautious of their surroundings, even if it means no texting and no headphones at night.

“I mean you can’t be texting because while your texting and you’re doing something else, they’re following you,” said neighborhood Officer Lisa Johnson. “We have undercover officers. We have extra patrols going on to try to catch these guys,” she said.

Even with this information, Harrison doesn’t feel safe in Fairview at night. “A lot of the time we don’t even like parking in our driveway because it’s secluded and goes back and we just feel like people will break in because they can’t see them there,” she said.

UC student Leah Davis said, “I’m usually walking with at least one of my roommates because I usually go out with them and I’m always carrying mace on me. ”

Police say 75 percent of the robberies involve students. With over 40,000 students in the area the chances of being the target are high for the ones living in Fairview.

Harrison says she feels safer when she’s talking on the phone. “I’ll just call random people and let them know where I am just in case something does happen,” she said.

Police did tell 9 News they have a good lead on the persons responsible for Sunday’s robbery. They are encouraging students to sign up for neighborhood crime alerts at www.nixle.com .