Columbus, OH – The Columbus Safety Collective Campaign submitted The Community Crisis Response Amendment to the city clerk for review today. The Campaign is working to place the issue on the City of Columbus’ next regular municipal election ballot scheduled for November 4, 2025.

The amendment will provide the Department of Public Safety the authority to establish a division of community crisis response that:

• Oversees the training of the division;
• Oversees the management and administration of services in coordination with other departments and programs
• Responds to 911 calls and other calls for assistance where appropriate;
• Conducts community outreach;
• Establishes the community crisis response advisory board to make recommendations to the Department of Public Safety regarding the implementation of this amendment and provision of its services and funds the division.

Members of the Columbus Safety Collective Campaign Executive Committee issued the following statements:

“It is crucial that Columbus residents have access to a fully funded alternative-police emergency response system, available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, specifically for individuals who are nonviolent and pose no threat to themselves or others,” offered Chana Wiley from Ohio Families Unite for Political Action and Change.  “So many of our community members, including my late brother Jaron Thomas, just need care and help in their times of need. Investing in an alternative response program is an investment in community safety and will save lives.”

“Columbus lacks a fully resourced, alternative crisis response program to meet the mental health and safety needs of our community,” added Patrick Higgins, Policy Counsel for the ACLU of Ohio. “Our campaign seeks to reduce the over-reliance on law enforcement for crisis response needs, including, but not limited to, calls involving mental and behavioral health crises, substance abuse, wellness checks, issues related to homelessness, and connection to services for situations that do not involve imminent danger. The people deserve a voice about decisions related to community safety, and that’s why we’re putting this issue on the ballot.”

“Our campaign is community driven and community informed. The Columbus Safety Collective started in 2020, and we have been working with community members, advocates, and impacted families for five years to develop this proposal to meet the needs of residents,” added Gavin DeVore Leonard and James Hayes, Co-Executive Directors from Ohio Voice. “Right now, Columbus Police are tasked with handling every incident in Columbus; investing in highly trained, alternative-police responses to mental health calls will help rebuild community trust and reduce violence.”

“Our initiative empowers Columbus voters to reimagine public safety. We will not be the first city to advance a policy like this, and we will not be the last. We are energized and eager to see the ballot amendment through to victory,” added Aleena Starks, State Director, Ohio Working Families Party.”

Under the laws that govern Columbus charter amendments, the clerk will forward the pre-circulation certified petition to the city attorney and the members of city council. The city attorney determines if the petition complies with the single subject rule and meets other requirements. The Columbus Safety Collective Campaign must collect and submit 24,913 valid signatures by July 7, 2025.