Public Safety Takes Center Stage At Council Meeting

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Residents made it clear Thursday night: The budget crisis will affect everyone.

Residents were invited to give Columbus city council their comments, and residents were eager to speak out about the proposed $13 million in cuts.

Mayor Michael Coleman proposed ending CPD's successful Summer Strike Force and implementing temporary layoffs for about 1,300 city employees and permanent layoffs for others.

NBC 4's Ana Jackson reported on what ALL SIDE said about the cuts.

Public safety took center stage at Thursday night's meeting.

"Our city has grown, and crime has grown even higher," Katie Radford said. Radford is with South Side United Neighbors.

"One of the things that does concern us is the potential to lose the strike force. We're also concerned about the loss of the 27 new recruits," Northland Community Council's Dave Paul said.

"They deserve to march across the stage and get that badge, and these are the people you are letting down," Reverend Melvin Steward said. Steward is with Mount Vernon Avenue District Improvement.

Some of the CPD police recruits who lost their jobs Tuesday, Jan 27, sat in the audience.

Attending recruits said they didn't have any indication they would be laid off. In fact, they received their badges the morning they lost their jobs.

The recruits said other police agencies have sought them out, but no one has taken any of those jobs. The recruits were hopeful their jobs here in Columbus could be reinstated.

City officials said the recruits will be the first to be asked back when the city starts hiring uniformed police officers.

"Community crime patrol is the last program that should be cut. At least let us continue to control the streets in these neighborhoods that will suffer because of these closures, layoffs and reductions in service," Community crime patrol's Ellen Moore said.

Residents fought for their recreation and pride centers.

"The neighborhood centers offer home for the youngsters. They can spend their time there instead of on the streets dealing in drugs or being exposed to drugs," resident Karl Barlay said.

"Taking it away implies that you do not care about the citizens on this side of town and will leave a huge void for us," Sherry Owens said. Owens is with Mid East Area Community Collaborative.

Many others also had concerns.

"Mr. Dorrian was talking about a tax increase. We don't need that. We don't want that," Robert Patterson said. Patterson is with the Marion Franklin Civic Association.

"Competition is fierce. There are hundreds of cities vying for events every day, and we are behind the curve with regards to our sales and marketing efforts," Linda Logan said. Logan is with the Columbus Sports Commission.

Council was expected to make a final decision regarding the budget Monday.

Even with the quick turnaround, Council President Michael Mentel said it's possible to take some of Thursday night's input and make changes.

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