COLUMBUS, Ohio — In the latest effort to tackle problem properties connected to criminal activity around Columbus, city leaders announced plans for a new team to help address the issue.
City Attorney Zach Klein announced Tuesday, the team of attorneys who work to crack down on nuisance, dangerous and violent properties will now be known as the "Property Action Team."
The city is adding social workers, as well as a sixth lawyer to the department to have a designated attorney for each of the six police zones in the city. Klein also said the department will issue a review each year to track the progress of the Property Action Team.
Since 2018, the city attorney’s office has filed close to 250 cases against properties connected to criminal activity including 136 drug houses, 30 bars and illegal after hours clubs, 18 area hotels and more than 50 other businesses.
The city also filed more than 3,500 cases for code violations, secured millions of dollars in fines against problem landlords and property owners and objected to 69 liquor permit renewals.
“We have shut down drug houses that have been pouring narcotics onto our streets, gang houses where violence has emanated from... we shut down bad businesses that have destroyed or tried to destroy neighborhoods and we have held every landlord running a subpar housing complex that is below code or not taking care of their tenants to task,” Klein said.
The city said it has been working with elderly residents to fix code violations so they can stay in their homes.
“Know that our team at the City of Columbus is doing our part to give every family a fair shot to thrive and build a bright future. We are banding together across multiple departments to take on nuisance properties,” said Mayor Andrew Ginther.
City leaders said this action is working to make neighborhoods safer.
“We see that almost every time the city takes actions against a drug house, violent bars, bad landlords, there is a reduction in crime and calls for service,” said Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant.
Kyi Thompson, a resident of the Hilltop neighborhood would agree.
She lives near what used to be Spotlight Lounge. It was shut down by the city in 2022 after a history of violent crime, including a deadly shooting.
“I feel like it is a safer environment for everybody,” Thompson said.
Thompson said without activity at the bar, she feels safe to walk through the neighborhood.
“I feel like that it been way quieter cleaner no altercations no shootouts,” she said.
The City Attorney said the majority of cases start with a report from a community member. To make a report, call 614-645-3111 or visit columbus.gov/311.