Cities across the state gear up to make the summer safe

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The summer heat can lead to an increase in violent incidents.

Last May, High street in Columbus experienced two different gun violence incidents on the same day.

11 guns were recovered from the scene and three police officers fired their weapons when responding. The Short North Alliance, along with Columbus Police and City Council, has organized a plan to try to make sure nothing like this happens again. 

Those visiting the Short North this summer might notice an increase of officers patrolling the area on bicycles. These officers join the special unit that makes up the Short North Crime Interdiction Program.

Paid parking in the Short North has been extended until midnight. COTA has expanded their services until 11 p.m. and there are now 15 designated rideshare pickup zones that can be utilized from midnight to 4 a.m.

The Short North Alliance received a public safety grant of about $500,000. With these funds, they have extended and expanded their Short North Alliance Outreach Team. 

“We’ve added hours of service available through the Short North ambassador team,” said Betsy Pandora, who serves as the executive director of the Short North Alliance. “Those are community members here that help provide safety services to our business owners and to patrons. Whether that’s escorting people to their vehicles when they’re leaving for the evening and more.” 

Along with the ambassador program, patrons will notice cameras placed throughout the area. 

“We’ve also seen a number of cameras be utilized as a way that we’re supporting safety in the community,” said Pandora. “Some of those are temporary cameras that are moved in fixed places. Some of them are permanently installed throughout the neighborhood that are all real time cameras that can be monitored as an added advantage to helping to support safety.”

Columbus isn’t the only city in Ohio that is gearing up for a safe and fun summer. Cleveland has called for “all hands on deck” to release a summer safety plan in the coming weeks after 10 incidents and three homicides last weekend. This will include things like street lights, trash collection, towing abandoned cars and more.

Cincinnati, on the other hand, is creating a plan to specifically address teen violence. Due to a shortage of about 200 officers, the city’s curfew team is asking parents to pay extra close attention to their children’s behavior this summer and enforce curfews of their own.