COLUMBUS, Ohio — The city of Columbus is taking a new approach to lowering the rate of gun violence.
“Rather than sitting back and waiting for something bad to happen, this is a message on the front end saying we know who you are, we know what you are involved in, and we want to do something different,” said Molly Robbins, director of Columbus Violence Reduction.
Nine men who are involved in gun violence met Columbus community leaders on Tuesday night to hear them out.
“We have community support services, we have outreach, we have people willing to help with anything you need but you have to be willing to accept the help,” said Columbus Division of Police Chief Elaine Bryant.
Chief Bryant said now is the opportunity for them to get out. Because if not, and they go back to committing crimes, the consequences will be worse.
“But the first person that leaves out of here after this meeting tonight and perpetuates a shooting or violence, will get the full attention of law enforcement,” said Bryant.
Dominic Jones, a local community leader, told the men he has been to prison so he knows what it is like. During his time behind bars, he missed every big moment with his loved ones.
“I’ll never forget the first call home; it was my son being born. I wasn’t there, I was locked up and I couldn’t be there,” said Jones.
For Rhonda Clayborn, she shared the story of losing her son to gun violence. She said the loss changed the lives of everyone in her family.
“I am here because I don’t want nobody’s mother to be wearing orange or camo. Enough is enough, stop the gun violence,” said Clayborn, a member of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children.
So far, 51 people have gone through the program and 82% of those people have yet to recommit a crime. The city is hoping this will be a long-term solution to gun violence by targeting the group that city leaders say causes most of the violence in the city.
“Fewer than 500 folks in our city are committing 50% of violence,” said Mayor Andrew Ginther.
“We are set up to be sustained and duplicated over time so we can have a significant impact on the overall rate of violence in Columbus,” said Robbins.