Monroe councilman, radio show host discuss ‘gang’ comment

A Cincinnati radio personality who said “Monroe, Ohio has a gang problem” on a national news show last Sunday, didn’t apologize for the negative comments but said he “mean’t no aspersions against” the city.

Bill Cunningham of 700 WLW radio had Monroe Councilman Todd Hickman on his show Thursday after reading news reports that Hickman wanted an apology from the conservative radio talk show host.

Cunningham started off by saying news reports about an April 14 arrest at a Monroe hotel quoted Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones saying one of the suspects had alleged ties to MS-13, a violent drug trafficking gang.

“Maybe you should have said Butler County, not Monroe,” Hickman said. “Monroe doesn’t have a gang problem.”

MORE: Alleged gang member arrested at Monroe hotel

Hickman said the allegation has not been proven that the person had MS-13 ties nor was that shared with the city’s police chief.

Cunningham said his information was from Jones who was “bigger” than Monroe police Chief Bob Buchanan. As of Thursday afternoon, Buchanan told this news outlet that no one from sheriff’s office has confirmed the MS-13 ties with him.

Hickman also told Cunningham that the people arrested at the Monroe hotel off of Interstate 75 were from Fairfield and Dayton, not from Monroe. Hickman said that in itself did not mean the city has a gang problem.

“People are really upset about this,” Hickman said.

Cunningham said that he and his wife may come up to visit Monroe this weekend. However, Hickman invited Cunningham to council’s May 9 meeting, which he said he was willing to attend.

Monroe, with a population of more than 13,000, is the fastest growing city in the area, according to U.S. Census data. It is also celebrating its bicentennial year

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