Activists Push for More Alternatives to Police via the Ballot
Columbus activists are pursuing a November ballot issue to enhance emergency services for residents in crisis — but first, they need to fix a paperwork issue. Why it matters: The city has launched a handful of “alternative crisis response” programs connecting 911 callers to resources beyond police, such as social workers and experts in mental health and addiction. […]
The Columbus Safety Collective Campaign Launches Community Crisis Response Amendment
The Columbus Safety Collective Campaign officially submitted The Community Crisis Response Amendment to the City of Columbus for review. The Campaign is working to place the issue on the City of Columbus’s next regular municipal election ballot scheduled for November 4, 2025. The amendment will provide the Department of Public Safety the authority to establish […]
Columbus Safety Collective Campaign Submits The Community Crisis Response Amendment to City Clerk, Aiming for 2025 Municipal Ballot
Columbus Safety Collective Campaign Submits The Community Crisis Response Amendment to City Clerk, Aiming for 2025 Municipal Ballot For Release: March 7, 2025 Contacts: media@cbussafety.org 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 […]
Members of Columbus Safety Collective Testify at Columbus City Council (1/23/2025)
Members of Columbus Safety Collective Testify at Columbus City Council (1/23/2025) Testimony Chana Wiley Testimony Helen Anne Sweeney Testimony Leah Blevis Testimony Recent Posts
‘Something has to change’: The police killing of Colin Jennings
‘Something has to change’: The police killing of Colin Jennings In late February, Jennings’ boyfriend called 911 and told the dispatcher the 26-year-old was in mental health crisis. Less than 15 minutes later, Jennings was dead, shot and killed by Columbus police. Read More at Matter News
Crisis on hold: Columbus City Council’s million-dollar non-police response team yet to take a call
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Columbus City Council approved $1.2 million in February to create a nonpolice response pilot program for non-violent service calls that included responding to people having a mental health crisis. “We need individuals who are trained appropriately,” Disability Rights Ohio executive director Kerstin Sjoberg said. “Trained professionals that can respond to a mental […]
NBC4 Coverage of Alternative Response Hearing
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Eight months after Columbus City Council announced it would aside money to pilot a nonpolice emergency response program, city leaders have yet to take the first steps toward implementing that program. From deploying mobile response teams of crisis-trained officers and mental health clinicians to embedding social workers in 911 call centers, […]
Columbus moves to decenter police in mental health crisis response – Matter News
Five to 10 years from now, Columbus and Franklin County could have a unified and streamlined crisis response system that looks very different from the one that currently exists. Read full article on Matter News
Columbus inches forward on plans for nonpolice response program, solicits proposals
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin hopes by the time the group returns from summer recess in September, it will be ready to pilot an emergency response program that doesn’t include police. September will mark over a year and a half since Hardin first announced funding for a nonpolice response program pilot for […]
Alternative to police: Columbus approves $400,000 for different response to 911 calls
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The next time you call 911, it may not be Columbus police showing up to the scene. City Council approved a $400,000 deal Monday with Mission Critical Partners, a company offering public safety consulting, to lay the groundwork for a nonpolice response service. It will develop a plan that would see […]