Cowboy R.W. Jones, 65, 1323 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, said he is sick of looking at the wave of crime and drug dealing around him.

        He wakes up with it. He sees it most of the day and he goes to bed watching it. He is part of a stop-the-crime group in Over-the-Rhine that walks and talks to people on the streets.

        Cowboy is his real name. His father was a real cowboy named Cowboy John Wilfong, who distinguished himself in Cincinnati in the 1930s and '40s, riding broncos and bulls in rodeos.

        Cowboy Jones doesn't want to tame any horses or bulls, he just wants the city to listen to him. He wants a small park, next door to his store at 1323 Vine Street, closed because he thinks it's a drug and crime hazard.

        Walking through the lot, he points to crime scenes. “Timothy Thomas ran through here when the police was chasing him. Two guys was killed right there,” he said, pointing at an entrance to the park off Republic Street. “What we need here is a police substation.”

        The city's Recreation Commission thinks Cowboy Jones is more concerned about transferring his carryout liquor license to his store.

        “The law says you can't have a liquor license next to a park area,” said Jeff McKinney, a commission supervisor.

        Mr. Jones said he is not concerned about the license.

        “I will get the license, but the big problem in this area is crime. If the city wants to stop crime, somebody should listen to the people out here who know what's going on,” he said.

        He said the park has been the scene of at least five shootings in five months.

        Hmmm. Maybe a police substation next to a liquor carryout wouldn't be a bad idea.

        NORWOOD — The Rev. Nester V. Stroude, pastor of the Word of Truth Ministries Church International in Norwood, says the Bible teaches that mankind is made “from one blood.”

        He said that in a racial forum last week at his church. “Life is choice-driven,” he said. “It is not forced on us because of who we are. We must evaluate the truth in accepting cultural diversity.”

        The 58 people attending, 33 whites and 25 blacks represented a cross section of business, political, ministerial and professional leaders.

        Cincinnati City Councilman Phil Heimlich said the forum was important. “I have more faith in the church than I have in many of the other groups and organizations working on race relations,” Mr. Heimlich said.

        Allen Howard's column runs Saturdays. Call: 768-8362. Mail: The Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.

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