Protecting the homeless

The Cincinnati Enquirer: (The recent) terrible accident in which a homeless woman was run over by a Cincinnati police cruiser in an Over-the-Rhine park, and later died, should be thoroughly investigated to find out exactly why and how such a senseless thing could happen.

It should lead to a careful examination of police practices in our parks.

It should raise special concerns about how we treat and protect the homeless in our urban core.

But what it should not do is cloud discussion over the pending restoration and expansion of Washington Park, where the woman was lying when she was struck.

The woman’s death comes in the context of a controversial $47 million public-private redevelopment and expansion plan for Washington Park, set to begin next month. We support the plan, which will provide a variety of spaces for all Cincinnati’s residents.

At a rally Saturday against the project, opponents said it ignores the wishes of the people who use the park the most. They want the plans to be modified to make the park more welcoming for the homeless.

No doubt Tuesday’s accident will heighten such concerns.

But if anything, it serves as a reminder that the Washington Park area truly needs revitalization, and that the social problems manifest there need more rational, long-term solutions than having people living at risk in a public park.