The Ohio State University will invest an additional $2 million per year over the next decade to enhance safety and security on and around campus, President Kristina M. Johnson and Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announced today. The total investment is expected to be at least $20 million (Watch Announcement).
“We are all committed to working hand-in-hand until this problem is solved in our community and our city,” Johnson said.
The additional funding begins immediately and is dedicated to the following enhancements:
- Immediately expanding by an order of magnitude off-campus security, including by using additional private security, as well as continuing support for Community Crime Patrol. This increased security will include additional campus service officers, who will immediately expand their patrols into the University District.
- Adding additional mobile lighting and at least another 10 mobile camera systems to saturate the area where Ohio State students live.
- Extending the Lyft Ride Smart program on High Street to include getting students to and from the Short North area.
- Continuing to recruit and train additional Ohio State Police Department officers. Four new officers were recently sworn in to increase joint patrol coverage off campus.
Johnson also directed Ohio State’s public safety team to engage an external safety expert to examine the effectiveness of the university’s expanded approach to off-campus safety in partnership with the city of Columbus.