COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther was pressed for answers Wednesday about what more his administration can do to prevent another mass shooting in the Short North. He tells 10TV that nothing is off the table when it comes to improving security in the Short North.
Last year, another mass shooting in May also left 10 people injured. A little over a week later, a voluntary curfew was put into place, rideshare vehicles could only park in certain spots and food trucks were ordered to shut down at midnight.
During an interview, Ginther was asked by 10TV's Kevin Landers what is being done to help curb the latest violence in the Short North.
Landers: "You were very quick to respond the last time we had a mass shooting. You introduced a curfew, you had Uber drivers park in different spots. You’re not as quick this time. Why? Can you explain what’s being done right now?"
Ginther: "I don’t know if that’s true Kevin. If you take a look at the investment there, we had 16 officers on the scene within seconds.”
Columbus spent a half million dollars last year increasing security in the Short North following the first mass shooting.
Tuesday night, the mayor said members of the police department met with the Short North Alliance to discuss additional security measures. So far, those plans have not been made public in part because the mayor says he wants to hear what businesses and property owners want.
Gun violence in Columbus is not unique to this city. Akron and Dayton both had mass shootings this month.
Landers: "Columbus had 12 mass shootings in 2023 and 2024. San Jose, California, a similar size city had zero and Charlotte, North Carolina, another city our size had four. When you hear those numbers what do you think? What actions can you take?"
Ginther: "I think we are going to be aggressive in hiring more officers."
Mayor Ginther says local judges need to do their part as well.
“To make sure that folks that are committing crimes with guns are held accountable and are taken off the street,” he said.
While Ginther ponders what new security measures might be added to the Short Noth, he did not hold back his frustration with state lawmakers who passed legislation that allowed more Ohioans to carry a gun.
“Gun nuts. This isn’t the NRA or mainstream gun rights organizations. Who opposes a Red Flag Law? This state legislature has put in place some of the most reckless and dangerous gun policies in America,” Ginther said.