Columbus, OH – Tonight, Columbus City Council will hold a hearing on alternative crisis response and a report evaluating existing programs. The Columbus Safety Collective Campaign is encouraged by Mayor Ginther’s recent budget allocation and our shared commitment to establishing a non-police crisis response following City Council’s report on alternative response in the City of Columbus. 

It is to this end that we are excited to share the following updates from the Columbus Safety Collective Campaign. The Columbus Safety Collective Campaign has collected tens of thousands of signatures from residents over the last eight months, underscoring the imperative of integrating non-police crisis response into 9-1-1 emergency services and expanding the city’s existing alternative response programs. We look forward to placing a charter amendment on the municipal ballot to enshrine Columbus’ commitment to crisis response programs. The Campaign celebrates this milestone with the community of volunteers who have been the force behind the Columbus Safety Collective Campaign since its inception. 

Statement from Chana Wiley, Campaign Spokesperson for the Columbus Safety Collective Campaign and Campaign Director of Ohio Families Unite for Political Action and Change:

“The Campaign anticipates reviewing the Mission Critical Partners report in detail and continuing our advocacy for a fully-funded, fully-realized non-police crisis response program integrated into the city’s emergency services. We look forward to working with city administration and city council to shape the future of alternative crisis response with resident needs at the forefront. Columbus residents are clear –it’s past time for the City to invest in nonpolice crisis response to meet the needs of our neighbors.”  

Read the full text of the Community Crisis Response Amendment.