Latest news with #CleanandSafeCorridorInitiative
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Columbus targeting certain neighborhoods to crack down on crime
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus leaders are cracking down on crime in the Hilltop. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced the results of the latest Clean and Safe Corridor Initiative on Monday. The initiative takes city resources and focuses them on a certain area, beyond the general services from Columbus. This is a more concentrated approach to really hone in on issues reported by the community. 'We want children, seniors, families to feel safe in these corridors. And that's what this is all about,' Ginther said. East Columbus development sparks resident concerns Over the last two weeks, city resources have focused on Sullivant Avenue in the Hilltop neighborhood. 'This is a very much focused approach where we have all hands on deck for a set period of time, but what we're going to follow up on this with is investing more in neighborhood and community groups that can kind of keep our momentum going,' Ginther said. City services picked up almost 18 tons of litter, patched potholes, and refreshed crosswalks. In the first week of the initiative, Columbus police recovered nine firearms, impounded 26 cars, worked 66 331 complaints, and conducted dozens of arrests. Rare Civil War flag sold at Columbus auction for $468,000 'They went out and made a lot of traffic stops, made a lot of arrests on-view and on warrants, and we were able to get some dangerous people off the roads,' Columbus Division of Police Deputy Chief Robert Sagle said. Drugs were taken off the street. including some that police described as fentanyl related. Now, the Clean and Safe Corridor initiative will expand with the next focus on the Driving Park area and the Short North. 'These initiatives just show when we work together how much can be accomplished,' Sagle said. The city said the services provided during this time are valued at $142,000 for labor, materials and equipment. Trial begins for truck driver charged in I-70 bus crash that killed six The full list of what the city said was accomplished can be found below: Safety April 30 Zone 3 Operation Unity Results 69 on-view arrests, meaning arrests made by police officers who personally observed a crime being committed. Of the arrests, 41 were on-view felony arrests and 28 were on-view misdemeanor arrests. 40 wanted person arrests Six arrests for engaging in prostitution Two stolen vehicles recovered Four firearms recovered 9.6g Methamphetamine, 3.6g Cocaine, 40g Crack Cocaine and 28g Marijuana recovered Four search warrants executed One Nuisance Abatement Group inspection 42 vehicles impounded 108 traffic citations issued 87 parking citations 38 311 complaints worked 146 crime prevention citizen contacts April 21 – April 27 Sullivant Avenue commercial corridor law enforcement activities 21 on-view felony arrests 24 on-view misdemeanor arrests 40 wanted person arrests Three soliciting arrests Seven stolen vehicles recovered Nine firearms recovered 1.1g Methamphetamine, 151.47g Cocaine, 4.62g Crack Cocaine and 1,882.07g Marijuana recovered One search warrant executed 15 Nuisance Abatement Group inspection 26 vehicles impounded 43 traffic citations issued 90 parking citations 66 311 complaints worked 84 crime prevention citizen contacts April 28 – May 4 Sullivant Avenue commercial corridor law enforcement data will be available on May 7 Cleanliness and Beautification 17.82 tons of litter and bulk refuse, 1.4 tons of trash and 14 tires collected 73.5 man-hours of pothole patching 79.5 man-hours of ADA ramp cleaning 50 ground-mounted and overhead signs replaced All eight intersections along the corridor had crosswalks, stop bars and lane control arrows refreshed 19 trees planted, 141 trees pruned, 3 dying and damaged trees removed, 785 feet of brush cut back and one tree grate leveled Property Inspections 327 building inspections 55 friendly code enforcement letters issued, informing building owners how they may bring their properties up to code compliance 5 buildings referred for graffiti removal by the city Small Business Support 47 businesses canvassed by the Office of Violence Prevention and Columbus Public Health to understand safety perceptions and concerns Four days of office hours held at the Columbus Metropolitan Library Hilltop branch to consult with small business owners and share funding and support resources available Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Columbus working to improve city's south side
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus city leaders are making efforts to make the southside of the city a safer, cleaner, more vibrant neighborhood. The Clean and Safe Corridor Initiative started on Parsons Avenue with plans to expand it to other neighborhoods. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said the goal is to promote safety, cleanliness and economic growth and turn the south side into a place where people want to live and start a business. Ohio GOP targeting app permissions for teens The initiative has partnered with Columbus police, business owners, and residents. 'We felt like the first place we ought to start that work is right here on Parsons Avenue on the south side,' Ginther said. 'The community leaders, business owners came to us and said, 'We need to do more to make sure this corridor is safe, is clean, that we're able to make our businesses thrive so our employees who get to and from work, and then we can make sure it's safe for kids and families and seniors.'' City leaders started the work on March 24 on Parsons Avenue between East Livingston Avenue and Hosack Street. This part of the initiative will go until April 4. According to the city, in that time: Safety: 25 cars impounded, 69 citations issued and 56 72-hour warnings for parking violations Two arrests for felony charges and one search warrant executed One handgun and one gram of fentanyl recovered Numerous citizen contacts, field interviews, and traffic and pedestrian stops Canvassing by the office of violence prevention and the Columbus Public Health Hot Team to understand safety concerns for residents and businesses Cleanliness and beautification: 78 man-hours of pothole patching and 55 man-hours of street sweeping 541 bags of litter and 16.76 tons of bulk refuse collected, along with ADA ramp cleaning 11 intersections enhanced with new crosswalks, stop bars and lane control arrows 117 new street signs mounted and hung 34 trees planted, 24 trees pruned, five dying and damaged trees removed, 17 stumps ground, as well as brush cutting Property inspections: 311 building inspections 15 friendly code enforcement letters issued, informing building owners how they may bring their properties up to code compliance 22 code enforcement follow-ups 5 buildings referred for graffiti removal by the city Ginther said that, citywide, the homicide rate so far for the year is the lowest it has been in about 20 years. He said the initiative will help to keep those numbers low and said this is just the beginning of the work. 'I think our Division of Police in the community is working closer together now than they ever had before, but we need that tips,' he said. 'We need that information. If you see, if you see something, say something. Share tips and information with police because we all are safer with folks who are committing crimes, putting our neighbors at risk for off the street.' Ohio bill would mandate 'success sequence' education, including marriage before kids He said Columbus City Council is expected to approve another $160,000 from the city's operating budget this Monday to go toward the Southside Thrive Collaborative to keep the momentum going. 'Our team will have a consistent presence in and along Parsons Avenue to build relationships rooted in trust and respect with businesses, social service providers, neighbors and individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness,' Southside Thrive Collaborative Director Sarah Lenkay said. 'By establishing a more genuine connection with people who are struggling, we will meet people where they are and pave the way for the linkages of resources. We will also be conducting regular cleanup, cleanups up and down Parsons Avenue to help beautify the area and to do this work.' Ginther said the city plans to allocate more money from the city's capital budget and will reveal three additional key corridors that will be a part of the project during his State of the City address in the coming weeks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
