CINCINNATI —

Citizens are fighting back against crime.

Many filled a meeting in Evanston on Monday evening to learn about ways they can stop it from taking over their streets.

Some said they are feeling empowered to start right now.

People form different neighborhoods joined police and city leaders to learn about what to watch for and what to do.

"We just want to make sure we have an idea of what to do when somebody suspicious comes in the neighborhood," neighbor Greg Turner said.

With more than 350 shootings and at least 79 homicides in Cincinnati, neighbors are ready to fight back against crime.

That includes Turner, who came looking for ways to protect his wife and neighbors.

"We live in a nice, quiet neighborhood, but right down the street it gets a little noisy, and there are things that I see on the news that happen there," Turner said.

City leaders and Cincinnati police helped a packed room of people in Evanston's Recreation Center figure out how they can start neighborhood watch groups in the face of rising crime.

Police encouraged people to mobilize and work with officers and their neighbors.

"We're seeing a tremendous uptick in certain areas of the city where the violence is increasing. One of the ways we can best combat that is to partner with the community. Start a neighborhood block watch where there's a general feeling in a neighborhood of somebody's got my back," Capt. Danita Pettis said.

Police told people to observe, take notes of people and cars, and call when serious or violent crimes happen.

They also covered scams and home security.

Now, neighbors are talking and plan to take action.

"We want our neighborhood to be safer and like I said, go back to the way that it was when we first moved there, and we want to make sure we have the tools to keep it that way," Turner said.

Cincinnati police said it's important neighbors be informed, alert and prepared.

Officers said the national average is about one officer for every 2,000 residents, but not all are patrolling the streets and may be assigned to other beats.

They said neighborhood watches reconnect people and empower conversations.

Cincinnati police said when issues arise, people can call the non-emergency line at 513-765-1212, or 911 in the event of an emergency.

Officers said it's always important people remain calm and state what type of crime is occurring along with details about the location, people involved and any vehicles, and elaborate if it is a serious crime or attack.

CINCINNATI —

Cincinnati police say one man is in the hospital following a shooting in Evanston.

Police said it happened in the 1700 block of Kinney Ave. around 7:30 p.m.

A 43-year-old man was driven to the hospital in a personal vehicle, according to police. He was taken into surgery and his condition is unknown.

CPD Capt. Danita Pettis said ShotSpotter technology helped them arrive on scene quickly and begin their investigation.

"It's a good indication that the residents are also trying to be cooperative," Pettis said.

Pettis said a lot of times, people do not report shootings because they are immune to it or figure it's commonplace, but that's starting to change.

"We are seeing individuals living in a neighborhood really do have an interest in calling and giving as much information as they can," she said. "It's certainly very encouraging because this seems to just be continuing after several weeks here."

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Evanston, Illinois, has become the first U.S. city to make reparations available to its Black residents for past discrimination and the lingering effects of slavery.

The Chicago suburb’s City Council voted 8-1 late Monday to distribute $400,000 to eligible Black households.

Each qualifying household would receive $25,000 for home repairs or down payments on property.

The program is being funded through donations and a 3% tax on the sale of recreational marijuana.

Qualifying residents must either have lived in or been a direct descendant of a Black person who lived in Evanston between 1919 to 1969 and who suffered discrimination in housing because of city ordinances, policies or practices.

Learn more about the city's reparations here.