Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City Council President Andrew Ginther, and Public Safety Chair Zach Klein announced in January a community outreach initiative to seek input on policing in Columbus. The initiative is in response to the national dialogue on building trust between the police and community.

The five (5) community meetings will take place in each police zone from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

They have been set for:

• February 23rd @ First Church of God, 3480 Refugee Road

• March 2nd @ Briggs High School, 2555 Briggs Road

• March 5th @ Linden McKinley High School, 1320 Duxberry Avenue

• March 9th @ East High School, 1500 East Broad Street

• March 12th @ Crossroads Baptist Church, 5075 Cleveland Avenue

These forums will provide the Chief and her executive staff an opportunity to listen to community concerns and accept suggestions regarding the Columbus Division of Police.

Upon completion of the community forums and reviewing the national, state, and local recommendations, Chief Jacobs will draft recommendations based upon best practices that will work in the City of Columbus.

The goal of these recommendations is to enhance training, review policing policies and procedures, increase education and outreach, and better improve upon relationships and trust between the community and police.

Contact: Sergeant Rich Weiner or Denise Alex-Bouzounis at (614) 645-4593