COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus voters passed Issue 5, according to unofficial election results, to create an alternative crisis response system.
What You Need To Know
The Community Crisis Response Amendment aims to meet the health and safety needs of those having behavioral health issues, facing homelessness or other crises
The issue was placed on the ballot by the Columbus Safety Collective and collected nearly 30,000 signatures
Mayor Andrew Ginther said the approval reflects residents’ commitment to ensuring the right response was given at the right time
The Community Crisis Response Amendment aims to meet the health and safety needs of those having behavioral health issues, facing homelessness or other crises.
The issue was placed on the ballot by the Columbus Safety Collective and collected nearly 30,000 signatures. Through its passage, a collaborative charter amendment will now be done through an agreement between Columbus City Council and the mayor’s office.
“City Council and the Columbus Safety Collective have been working for five years to advance alternative crisis response programming. What this coalition has achieved with Issue 5’s passage will save lives, enhance responses to residents in crisis and improve public safety,” said City Council President Shannon G. Hardin. “Tonight, we celebrate a historic moment for our city; tomorrow, we get to work implementing this Charter amendment.”
According to the collective, the amendment will:
“Create a community crisis response system that is fully integrated into the City’s 911 response system;
Enable non-police community crisis response workers (including trained social workers, behavioral health professionals, peer supporters, and EMTs) to meet the needs of community members experiencing behavioral health issues, homelessness, and other crises; and
Establish a community advisory board that will work with city officials to develop, implement, sustain and evaluate the entire alternative response system”
“This incredible outcome proves that committed community members working toward a shared goal can spearhead meaningful policy change,” said Chana Wiley, co-chair of the Columbus Safety Collective Campaign. “Alternative crisis response programs are common-sense, popular, and grounded in research. We look forward to continued partnership with city leaders as we work on implementation over the coming months. Our campaign and extended network of partners and volunteers are so grateful that Columbus will finally join the growing list of cities working to reduce the over-reliance on law enforcement and ensure that all residents feel safe when asking for help.”
Mayor Andrew Ginther said the approval reflects residents’ commitment to ensuring the right response was given at the right time.
“This vote shows that our community is ready to build on that progress and go further, faster, and makes clear that when someone calls 9-1-1 in their darkest moment, compassionate, appropriate help will be on the way,” Ginther said. “I’m grateful to voters for helping move this work forward.”