CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Despite efforts to move Cincinnati police officers out of the District Five headquarters on Ludlow Avenue, some say the changes are not happening fast enough.
City leaders got a firsthand look inside the building, which many officers say is behind a growing cancer concern, on October 26.
Since 2015, six officers who worked in the building died from cancer. All were under the age of 60.
Councilmembers Chris Smitherman and Kevin Flynn were joined by Police Chief Eliot Isaac and city administrators for the tour. City leaders, the police chief and reporters crammed into the tiny building for a tour set up by Law and Public Safety Committee Chairman Chris Smitherman.
"Sergeants working this office [are] pretty much stacked on top of each other," said CPD Sergeant Jason Voelkerding.
In September, FOP President Dan Hils said he wanted a new location for his officers by Christmas. He called on Cincinnati City Council, Mayor John Cranley and City Manager Harry Black to make that happen.
There are roughly 137 people assigned to the building. The officers, who died of cancer, had jobs that kept them mostly inside the building. Another officer who is under the age of 50 was recently diagnosed.
An environmental study last year found no health hazards in the building but that hasn't put employees who still work here at ease.
"I just want them to realize that the very dedicated men and women of District 5 are working in some very challenging conditions. I would hope that we can get this rectified sooner than later," said CPF Chief Eliot Isaac.
One particular detective's office is called the "cancer corner." Three detectives who sat in the three desks next to each other in that office got cancer. One is dead.
"Kristin Shircliff sat here, Stephanie Bradford here, she's dead, Paul Meyer here," said Sergeant Voelkerding.
Sergeant Voelkerding said chairs were sometimes soaked in pesticide spray because of the bug problem in that office.
"They would come in and it would be soaked you could smell it," said Sergeant Voelkerding.
Detectives moved to a new location temporarily, until the new District Five is renovated. Cops who work there don't want to wait.
"We know that if we try to build a brand new facility that would be a three year period of time," said Councilmember Chris Smitherman. "The question is going to be what do we do in the interim, between now and March and I think this might spark some discussions about that."
The police union wants everyone moved out of District 5 immediately and wants the city to cover cancer screenings.
"People are coming up with plans, renovations of the permanent building has begun, we're doing what we're able to do at this point. I'm ready. If I had a place i'd take them there now," said CPD Chief Eliot Isaac.
Councilmember Charlie Wilburn came to the building with masks and said that everyone who still has to work there should have one.
"This is wrong, if they had a loved one would they want it closed down?" said Wilburn.
Some employees recently made the transfer to the Spinney Field complex in Lower Price Hill. Some will eventually go to the old PNC Bank in Camp Washington. Eventually everyone will move into the former permit center building on Central Parkway.
The building will close but the question is when?
And if it's soon, where will the officers who still work here go? Even after the tour there is no answer.
Mayor John Cranley has said everyone will be out of the building by the end of this year but a replacement hasn't been determined.
