In response to recent instances of police misconduct, Council developed a framework to address injustice within the police department. It consists of short- and long-term steps to implement independent oversight and investigations, reassess no-knock warrants, address hate group affiliation, demilitarize the police, and erect a process for community involvement leading into budget discussions this fall. Council will advance a package of legislation to address these issues before it’s annual August recess.
This week, Council held three virtual public hearings outlining different potential reforms as part of our Reimagining Public Safety legislative package.
On Monday, July 13, Council heard from the community on mandating checking for hate-group affiliation before hiring, on Wednesday July 15, we provided an update on the Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission and discussed independent oversight models, and on Thursday, July 16 we heard from the community on banning no-knock warrants by the Division of Police.
On Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 3pm, we will hold a virtual hearing of the Public Safety Committee to take another look at potential reforms before a Council vote during our July 27, 2020 meeting. Stay tuned to our social media channels and your inbox for more information on this hearing.
We are still looking for your feedback! If you have an idea, send an email to reimaginesafety@columbus.gov.
Ohio continues to experience it's peak when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have the tools to contain the spread. Follow the guidelines in the chart below to help contain this virus and get us back to normal sooner.
As a reminder, masks are now required in all public spaces within both the City of Columbus and Franklin County.
In light of the continued COVID-19 pandemic, Council will continue virtual meetings through the end of July. Our next two meetings will occur on July 20 and 27, 2020, each starting at 5pm.
Council urges residents to submit their testimony in writing for virtual meetings.
Residents can submit written testimony for or against an ordinance to the City Clerk. It must be received by 3pm on the day of the meeting and emailed to cityclerkrequests@columbus.gov.
Residents who wish to speak during the meeting via WebEx must submit a speaker slip online. Online speaker slips can be submitted between 8am-3pm on the day of the meeting. To access the form, visit www.columbus.gov/council/information/Online-Speaker-Slip/.
During the emergency period, non-agenda speakers must submit their testimony to the City Clerk in writing by 3pm to cityclerkrequests@columbus.gov. All submitted testimony will be entered into the record.
Council meetings are live-streamed on CTV, the City’s YouTube channel and on Facebook.
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With the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Central Ohio, it is important to get tested if you have symptoms.
Columbus Public Health offers free testing daily from 9am-4pm. Please call 614-645-1519 to schedule your test today. You can also click here to find the closest testing site to you.
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General Election Day 2020 is November 3, and Columbus City Council wants to make sure you have all the information you need to vote.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, consider voting absentee. Register to vote online, submit the absentee voting request here: https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention works 24/7 keeping America safe from health, safety, and security threats, both foreign and domestic. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease, and supports communities and citizens to do the same. Visit the CDC website for current information on COVID-19
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