Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance amends Chapter 211 of the Columbus City Codes by enacting section 211.07 to establish the Office of Violence Prevention within the Office of the Mayor.
The Office of Violence Prevention will empower community partners and city departments to increase public safety, prevent violence, and promote healing through holistic, equity based, and trauma-informed approaches for the benefit of all who live and spend time in Columbus. The Office of Violence Prevention will provide oversight of these strategies such as violence interruption, case management, employment assistance, fellowship opportunities, and hospital-based violence interventions that are all in use by the Office and/or the City. The Office will provide grants to CBOs, provide direct services with OVP staff, coordinate violence prevention activities, support policy development, and conduct research. Most importantly, the Office of Violence Prevention will serve as a hub for the reduction of gun violence through research, legislation and coordination with the Columbus Department of Public Health and other agencies. The Office will rely heavily on ongoing community engagement efforts including a Violence Reduction Planning Process where meetings will be convened with community and inter-departmental leaders on the implementation of the City’s violence reduction plan.
The Office of Violence Prevention shall consist of an Executive Director, Executive Assistant, Director of Research & Policy, Community Relations Coordinator, Data Manager & Analyst, Grant Writer, and other staff members as authorized by the mayor and city council.
FISCAL IMPACT: The 2023 General Fund appropriation ordinance and 2023 authorized strength ordinance will address the required fiscal and human resources allocations.
Title
To enact Columbus City Codes Section 211.07 in order to establish the Office of Violence Prevention within the Office of the Mayor.
Body
WHEREAS, the Office of Violence Prevention will empower community partners and city departments to increase public safety, prevent violence, and promote healing through holistic, equity based, and trauma-informed approaches for the benefit of all who live and spend time in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Violence Prevention will provide oversight of these strategies such as violence interruption, case management, employment assistance, fellowship opportunities, and hospital-based violence interventions that are all in use by the Office and/or the City; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Violence Prevention will serve as a hub for the reduction of gun violence through research, legislation and coordination with the Columbus Department of Public Health and other agencies; and
WHEREAS, the code changes enacted by this ordinance will establish the Office of Violence Prevention within the Office of the Mayor; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Finance and Management Department to enact Columbus City Codes Section 211.07 to establish the Office of Violence Prevention within the Office of the Mayor, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Columbus City Codes Chapter 211 is hereby supplemented by the enactment of new Section 211.07, entitled “Office of Violence Prevention” and reading as follows:
211.07 - Office of Violence Prevention
The Office of Violence Prevention will serve as the City’s hub for all anti-violence activities. The Office will evaluate existing programming and will require the cooperation of department leads assigned to work with the Office to share information. The Office will also be responsible for collecting data, shared by (and with) its partners, and conducting research based upon that data to capture a clearer picture as to where the City of Columbus stands with violence and prevention efforts, as well as where further resources might be needed. The Office will work collaboratively with city departments, public and private partners, and the Columbus community to further its efforts.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.