A rash of shootings in Hamilton’s 2nd Ward has prompted police to step up its presence as well as reach out to local ministers and residents to help curb the violence.

There have been four shootings — with three people being struck by gunfire — between Dec. 2 and Dec. 10. Police Chief Scott Scrimizzi said there were two factions fighting, and the gunshot victims are reluctant to provide information to detectives, even though one person was struck by gunfire in the right eye.

“The victims say they can take care of themselves, but we’re not going to tolerate that,” he said. “There are too many good people down there who are frightened and we clearly don’t want any citizens or officers hurt.”

The people who were shot have had an extensive history with police and said there’s “no question that it’s drug-related,” Scrimizzi said.

Police presence in the 2nd Ward has been increased, Scrimizzi said. The recent violence has occurred in the areas of Monument at Hurm streets; South Front Street; 12th Street at Hensley Avenue; and a second incident on Hurm Street, he said.

Councilman Archie Johnson, who lives in the 2nd Ward, said he was awakened by the gunfire last weekend and supports efforts made by police.

Johnson said he’s working to contact local ministers “to see how we can fix this problem. It’s going to take the police along with community input to solve this.”

Police arrested three people earlier in the week who may be responsible for the recent shootings.

Two of them, Anthony DeWayne Crowder, 22, of Middletown, and Dale Allen Johnson, 25, of Cincinnati, are in the Butler County Jail. Crowder is being held on a $75,000 bond as well as a detainer from another law enforcement agency. Johnson is being held on a $50,000 bond. The third suspect, Joseph M. Harris, 20, no address listed, was released on a $50,000 bond Dec. 10. All three men are slated for a preliminary hearing at 8 a.m. Monday in Hamilton Municipal Court.

Johnson is charged with having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony, and carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth-degree felony; Crowder is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, assault on a police officer and receiving stolen property, all fourth-degree felony charges, having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony, and for possession of criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony; and Harris is charged with having weapons under disability and tampering with evidence, both third-degree felonies, carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth-degree felony, drug abuse/marijuana and criminal trespass, both fourth-degree misdemeanor.

The first shooting incident happened about 2:12 a.m. Dec. 2 in the 500 block of South Front Street where a man suffered gunshot wounds to his right arm.

The second shooting occurred about 6:05 p.m. Dec. 8 at 12th Street and Hensley Avenue where a man reported being shot in the right upper leg. In the police report, the victim said he did not see anyone near him and was not sure how many shots were fired.

The third shooting was reported about 12:45 a.m. Dec. 9 in the 500 block of South Front Street. The victim said he was sitting in his car when an unknown person started shooting at him. He then ran to a residence in the 500 block of Monument Street to call police.

The fourth shooting occurred about 1:15 a.m. at Monument and Hurm streets where a man had just left his sister’s apartment on South Monument. The victim told police that when he reached Hurm Street, he was struck in the right eye by a gunshot from an unknown area. He told police that the ran and ended up at the McDonald’s restaurant parking lot, 20 Martin Luther King Blvd. where medics were called to treat him and take him for medical attention, the report said.

Scrimizzi said police heard the gunshots at Police Headquarters nearby on South Front Street and an officer went by himself on foot to the apartments located in the 0 to 100 block of Hurm Street as patrol cars were dispatched to the area. As the officer approached a stairwell to the lower apartments, he saw a weapon on the ground and the three suspects inside the small area, he said.

Scrimizzi said while the officer held the suspects at gunpoint, one suspect tried to flee and pushed the officer in the face. However, the officer managed to get a hold of the suspect who then began wrestling with the officer. During the scuffle, the officer was knocked to the ground and injured his right knee. The suspect, who was armed, was apprehended by another officer who used a Taser, Scrimizzi said.

Police have been putting out flyers asking for any information and have set up an anonymous tip line at (513) 868-5811, ext. 2007 or residents can contact Sgt. Joey Thompson at (513) 868-5811, ext. 1353.