COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus City Council members announced the latest efforts in an anti-violence initiative aimed at reforming public safety on Wednesday.
City Council members passed a series of legislative packages last summer and fall as part of the Reimagining Public Safety initiative.
Part of that initiative included independent investigations into the use of lethal force within the Columbus Division of Police during last summer's protests in the wake of George Floyd's death. Since then, the city has also created a Civilian Police Review Board.
Despite hosted resident hearings, town halls and focus groups aimed at curbing violence and building police trust, violent crime continues to skyrocket in Columbus. As of June 30, 99 homicides have been reported in the city just this year.
“Reimagining public safety starts and ends with making sure the homicide rate does not continue,” said Council President Pro Tempore, Liz Brown.
According to city council members, gun violence is largely impacting young people throughout the community, many of whom have gained access to firearms. In response, City Council has partnered with the Columbus Division of Fire to offer free gun locks at fire stations across the city.
In terms of police reform, the legislation would ensure Columbus police officers only use lethal force as a last resort. Studies showed many community members felt police response to last summer's protests was unnecessary and only worked to further a divide between law enforcement and the community.
“Too many Black and Brown families in our City do not feel protected by our police, and that is bad for all of us,” said Brown. “We must do everything we can to assure our residents that the peace officers we employ are there to keep every family in every neighborhood safe. The actions we're taking today to further demilitarize police presence are a step in that direction.”
Additionally, the city announced an effort to boost workforce diversity, which Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin says involves providing grants to community organizations that would, in turn, focus on wellness and racial equity education throughout the community.
Recently passed legislation would ensure more than $1.1 million in funding goes directly to programs within organizations aimed at uplifting Black women.
The legislation comes on the heels of a report which found stigmas surrounding Black girls can not only rob them of their girlhood, but also lead to a series of negative consequences
“Every resident deserves to feel safe no matter where they live or when they leave the house,” said Hardin. "With this legislative package, we aim to keep neighborhoods safe, continue reform, and build trust between the community and law enforcement."
Brown added she wants to take a look at how Columbus police are using its helicopters. She said there isn't support to eliminate any of the fleets, but argues she wants to make sure they are used for emergencies.
“I want to make sure the helicopters are sticking to their flight paths as prescribed. The presence of the helicopter sound in neighborhoods alarms people and also makes them feel like they are in war zones,” Brown said.
Public Safety Committee Chairman Mitch Brown said the helicopters are an invaluable tool for the city, especially addressing the issues of all-terrain vehicles. The chairman said officers will not pursue them so they have to be dealt with from above.
“The world has gotten to be very very violent. How are you going to deal with the violence if you don't have law enforcement the tools they need to combat the violence?” Brown said.
Council will begin hearings on the proposal in July.