Greater Cincinnati community struggles with influx of asylum seekers straining resources

LOCKLAND, Ohio (WKRC) - While national attention focuses on Springfield's immigration issues, the small village of Lockland is grappling with its own crisis.

Village leaders said that they're at a tipping point with the number of asylum seekers in their town.

Lockland, with a population of around 3,500 according to the census, could have as many as double that number living in the village. Estimates suggested that there are up to 3,000 asylum-seeking immigrants, primarily from Mauritania, residing in the Cincinnati suburb.

Lockland Fire Chief and Village Administrator Doug Wehmeyer said the Mauritanians are living in several apartment buildings, often with as many as 10 people in units designed for four.

"It's creating a dangerous situation for the residents and firefighters," Wehmeyer said. "In most cases, all they have is a mattress, a couch, and some clothes. So, while we're trying to advance a fire hose line down the hallway, they are pulling mattresses and clothes out [of the units], believing that it's over [and the building will burn down]. Where we look at that and say, 'Man, there's 10 people in a unit.' They look at that and it's better than the condition they came from."

Wehmeyer said the issues extend beyond overcrowded apartments and safety concerns. The migrants are also straining the area's resources. Most of the immigrants don't have jobs and rely on places like Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center.

"We haven't noticed an increase in serious crime as the number of immigrants continues to rise," Wehmeyer said. "But we are seeing more smaller, petty crimes like littering, trash, jaywalking, and people riding their bicycles where they shouldn't be."

The public works crew is spending more time cleaning up trash in areas surrounding the immigrants. Additionally, because the migrants lack jobs and health insurance, they call 911 when they get sick, putting a strain on ambulance crews and local hospitals.

"The concern we have now is where there isn't a lot of crime associated with them being here; at what point is there? At what point? How often do you go hungry before you steal for food?" said Wehmeyer.

In the short term, the village needs money and resources. Wehmeyer said he has reached out to Congressman Warren Davidson's office and Governor Mike DeWine but hasn't received any response. In the long term, Wehmeyer said something must be done to slow the number of migrants coming into the area.