Columbus Public Safety Week returns to connect communities with first responders

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus Public Safety Week is back, hoping to improve security in central Ohio.

Columbus Public Safety Week will run from Sept. 14-19. It was started in 2023 with Columbus City Councilmember Emmanuel Remy spearheading the effort.

“This week's all about providing resources," Remy said. "It's about getting the residents up close and personal with the fire and police personnel that are here in the city of Columbus and just working together to collectively improve public safety."

The week of community events is in partnership with Columbus Division of Police, Columbus Division of Fire, religious organizations and several other community groups. Each year, the events are focused on a different area. This time the spotlight is on the Mideast.

“I think in every neighborhood that we've been able to do, the Milo Grogan community, the Linden community, and now the Mideast area, we've found that people have really embraced this and they've had the opportunity to get excited, to get to know their public safety, their first responders better,” Remy said.

Safety Week will be kicked off with a worship service at City of Grace on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. After the service is the Cadet Canvas. Residents will receive smoke alarms, gun locks and first aid kits.

On Monday at 4:30 p.m., Columbus City Council will recognize public safety partners and Tuesday is the Community Conversation & Dinner at City of Grace from 5-7 p.m.

“It is going to be exciting to have the opportunity to sit down with Shayla Favor, our prosecutor, with the first Assistant Chief Potts, have a conversation about our youth in the community and what we're doing to help provide de-escalation techniques, to provide alternatives to getting involved in crime and just really engaging with our youth,” Remy said.

He said he wants this year to be focused on young people.

“We've been investing every year in the city of Columbus, over $20 million a year in youth programming. We need to continue to build relationships with our youth to make sure that they understand there are other alternatives to getting involved with things on the street and in crime,” said Remy.

He also said it’s important to incorporate some fun and entertainment. On Thursday at Barnett Recreation Center is Safety Fun Fest from 4-7 p.m. The family-friendly festival will be filled with music, games, food and safety resources.

“We want to make sure that we're engaging the community as a whole and so providing some opportunities to do something fun is part of the process really brings more people out and engages more with the community,” Remy said.

Columbus Public Safety Week will be capped off with a Mideast Litter League Competition. From 12-2 p.m., teams from Columbus Division of Police, Fire Cadets, youth and local leaders will compete in a clean up at Walnut Ridge High School.

RSVP to the community events here.