Officials outline new safety initiatives for University District;

Joint Ohio State-City effort to help fight crime, improve neighborhood

October 7, 2004—Neighborhood safety in Columbus' University District took a significant step forward today as Ohio State University President Karen Holbrook joined Mayor Michael B. Coleman to announce a commitment of $3 million to a partnership that will include the construction of a new Neighborhood Policing Center and increased police presence in the surrounding neighborhood.

"This is a very exciting day for the University, for our students and for the residents of the University District," Holbrook said. "Our joint effort with the City is an important step forward. With increased foot patrols and a more permanent police presence with the safety center, our students and neighborhood residents will not only feel safer, they will be safer."

The new Neighborhood Policing Center, funded jointly by the City and OSU, will be located in the campus neighborhood, and it will house Columbus police officers from Precinct 4, the Ohio State Public Safety Department, and the Community Crime Patrol. The new facility will also offer meeting space for community groups and residents.

"Our ongoing partnership with The Ohio State University works on many levels, but none is more important than our shared commitment to the safety of students, residents and the businesses who are the heart and soul of the campus area," said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. "I am proud to move this plan forward with President Holbrook, as we work to improve the quality of life for the entire University District. Our investment of bond funds will not only have a visible impact on the area, but also will continue efforts to engage new partners within the neighborhood to reduce crime and allow for greater future investment."

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by OSU and the Columbus Department of Public Safety details the safety partnership:

- Ohio State and the City will each initially commit $1.5 million for the planning and construction of the Neighborhood Policing Center.

- A six-person University-City Working Group will recommend to President Holbrook and Mayor Coleman a site and program details of the Center in approximately 90 days.

- The University will provide up to $200,000 annually to support additional neighborhood policing efforts, including Columbus Division of Police foot and bicycle patrols and a mobile substation that will be located around key areas of the OSU community.

The current Columbus Police substation for Precinct 4 is located at 2636 Deming Avenue.

Holbrook said the University also will continue funding current safety initiatives in the neighborhood, such as the Community Crime Patrol, the student escort service and a bus route through the University District. The University also is expanding the Community Ambassadors program, which now includes 18 ambassadors working on 20 streets with high levels of student residency who help connect residents to the neighborhood.

Undergraduate Student Government President Aftab Pureval said he is very encouraged by the announcement. "I am incredibly proud of our University's president and our City's mayor for identifying the importance of safety in the off-campus area and working together to ensure that every Ohio State student's life is protected. Safety is our number one priority and I am encouraged to see that the President and Mayor shares our sentiment," he said.

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Campus Partners for Community Urban Redevelopment, Inc.
1824 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 294-7300; fax (614) 294-7333