COLUMBUS – With the Memorial Day holiday weekend – the unofficial start to summer – approaching, the Ginther administration and Columbus City Council are taking steps to battle a rise in violent crime in city parks.
An agreement reached with the union representing police officers will allow additional officers to patrol high-visibility areas on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and city council has approved renting temporary lights and security cameras in several city parks.
There have been four shooting incidents in Columbus city parks in the last three weeks.
“Summer is traditionally a time of higher crime, so we need to do all we can to keep our residents safe. Additional staffing during weekends and well-lit parks are part of a sweeping plan to prevent crime this summer,” Mayor Andrew Ginther said.
Ginther sent legislation to council to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Fraternal Order of Police allowing additional overtime for police officers during the summer months, which would clear the way for up to 40 additional officers to assist regularly scheduled patrols in designated areas on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, according to a release from Ginther’s office
“The presence of sworn officers will deter violence, provide reassurance to park patrons, and allow residents to build and improve connections with our first responders,” council member Emmanuel Remy said.
Council members Monday also approved spending $500,000 to rent lights and cameras in 22 city parks.