Saying he fears a “long, hot summer” following more than a year of heightened racial tension in Cincinnati, Councilman Paul Booth wants the city to pay $75,000 to human relations monitors in the city's neighborhoods.

        The plan would hire 10 community relations monitors at $17 per hour to “walk the community and talk to residents, assess neighborhood moods, and identify potential "hot spots,'” according to a report by Cecil Thomas, director of the Human Relations Commission.

        The monitors would work four hours on weeknights and six hours on weekends.

        “With the discontent that still exists, I see a need for people who can move about the city and prevent the simple misunderstandings that can often lead to violence,” Mr. Booth said.

        Cincinnati City Council will vote on the proposal today. The council's two Republicans are opposed.

        “I don't think it's right to be paying community monitors, period,” said Councilman Chris Monzel.

        “I really don't like the rumors or the undertones on the street of possible trouble this summer. If people are going to cause trouble this summer, they should know that they're going to be arrested, and not that their hands are going to be held,” he said.

Police, Feds go after gun criminals
Indiana quake rattles nerves, little else
Teams look for a place to call home
Trip shows convention's importance to officials
Add to the mix to revitalize OTR, city manager says
Auditor irked by flag
Black Achievers recognized
Chabot urges late-abortion ban
City considers community monitors
Obituary: Paul Keels, ran award-winning auto dealership
Plans for parking lot supported
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Welcome mat
HOWARD: Some Good News
KORTE: City Hall
SAMPLES GUTIERREZ: Loud and clear
SMITH AMOS: Groundbreaking
Case of missing baseball money sent to grand jury
District aims to smooth transition
Little Miami schools face cuts
Loveland development opposed
Primary win came at a price
Teen guilty in girl's rape
Taft proposes disclosure
Fayette County unloads old school buses on eBay
Ky.'s latest finance fix could falter
Lt. Gov. explores race
NewCath downplays letter
Priests could be dismissed
Sand tiger shark dies
State wobbles in purchase of land
Villa Hills celebrates 40 years