Columbus mayor, city council president announce new initiatives to curb violence in city
COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and City Council President Shannon G. Hardin held a news briefing Thursday morning about safety, violence and a spike on homicides in the city.
They were joined by representatives from the neighborhoods and police departments.
Ginther began the briefing by stating that while violence is not unique to Columbus, it is being seen around the country.
“But this is our home! And these are the realities we as a community are facing,” said Ginther.
Ginther stated the city is taking several initiatives to curb the violence, including new PSA videos, strategic interventions to reduce violence and improve public safety, minimize arrests and incarcerations, and strengthen relations between police and communities.
Ginther also announced a six-month analysis to create a snapshot of who is driving the violence in the city. The date provided will be utilized to in violence prevention as part of the Columbus Comprehensive Neighborhood Safety Strategy, which was developed after a record number of 143 homicides in 2017.
There have been more than 130 homicides in Columbus this year, with the average age of the victim being 24, according to Ginther. The average age of the victim in 2017 was 37.
Earlier this week, Hardin issued a strongly worded statement after a car in Italian Village filled with children was shot at 25 times.
“If you shoot up a car full of little kids, then you’re going to get locked up or end up dead in the streets. Violence only leads to more violence. Families are being torn apart because of this ****. For the love of God, put the guns down.”
COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT SHANNON HARDIN
During Thursday’s briefing, Hardin compared the violence in the city to the coronavirus pandemic.
“COVID has killed nearly 500 people in our city, gun violence has killed more than 130,” said Hardin. “Both disproportionality harm Black families. These are both public health calamities.”
Hardin also asked for everyone in the city to come together to help stop the violence.
“Columbus, we will get through this. It may not be better tomorrow, or in a week, but I promise you, we will get through this.”