Community Safety, Security, & Effective Justice

Ensuring the safety and security of Franklin County residents remains one of the Board of Commissioners’ highest priorities. Nearly two-thirds of the General Fund budget is dedicated to programs that promote public safety, justice, and community well-being, including the Sheriff’s Office, county courts, Animal Care and Control, and the county jail. Alongside their commitment to public protection, the commissioners continue to champion smart justice initiatives that support individuals involved in the justice system, help reduce recidivism, and promote long-term success within the community.

Agency Partner: Franklin County Justice Policy and Programs

The Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs (OJPP) works to improve public safety and justice in our community. The office helps plan and oversee programs that promote fair and effective justice practices, support crime prevention, and provide resources for treatment and rehabilitation. OJPP also ensures that federal, state, and local funds are used wisely to create programs that serve the people of Franklin County, with a focus on equity, inclusion, and smart justice solutions.

OJPP also manages CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Franklin County, which trains and supports volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the child welfare system. CASA volunteers serve as court-appointed guardians, ensuring that children have a voice in legal proceedings and are placed in safe, loving homes. Through their work, CASA helps break cycles of trauma and create brighter futures for vulnerable children.

2024 Justice Policy and Programs Stats:

Rapid Resource Center Services: In calendar year 2024, 9,980 residents received services through the Rapid Resource Center(s).
Justice-Involved Support Programs: A total of 221 justice-involved individuals participated in the Pathways to Healthy Living programs – both pre- and post-release – receiving case management, peer support, cognitive behavioral treatment, and referrals to services.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): 455 individuals booked into the Correctional Center and identified as at risk for overdose were inducted on MAT (including Vivitrol and Sublocade), a 60% increase over calendar year 2023.
Bridge Respite Program: Provided 551 emergency bed nights for 59 individuals exiting jail who indicated homelessness at the time of booking.
Tap In Center: Since launching in September 2024, the Tap In Center helped lift 57 outstanding misdemeanor warrants and provided services to a total of 122 residents.
Grants Administration Portfolio: OJPP’s 2024 portfolio includes nine large-scale discretionary state and federal grants and eight formula grant programs, supporting 50 to 70 sub-awards and contracts for services annually.
Community Access and Co-Location: OJPP and CASA are now co-located in six physical locations across Franklin County, increasing accessibility to services.
Staffing Growth: Since 2021, OJPP staffing (excluding CASA) has grown by 119%, including both fulltime employees and contracted staff.

Franklin County Justice Policy and Programs

Community Partner: Emergency Management and Homeland Security

The county’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (FCEM&HS) plays a vital role in coordinating preparedness efforts for natural disasters and man-made hazards to enhance community safety and resilience. The agency focuses on public education, first-responder coordination, and securing grant funding to support emergency preparedness initiatives.

In 2024, FCEM&HS helped secure $1.5 million in Urban Area Security funding for Columbus and Franklin County, prioritizing projects in communication security, bomb squad sustainment, and large crowd event management.

Program Highlight: Emergency Communication Efforts

Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEM&HS) utilizes multiple communication systems to keep residents informed and safe during emergencies. Key efforts include:

Outdoor Warning Siren System – 198 strategically placed sirens that broadcast alerts countywide, tested weekly and activated during tornado warnings.
ALERT Franklin County – A mass notification system that sends emergency alerts to registered users’ electronic devices.
FCReady – A text alert system providing real-time updates; residents can subscribe by texting “FCReady” to 888777.
The Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) – A partnership with FEMA that delivers automatic alerts to mobile phones and local broadcasters.

Community Partner: Franklin County Public Health

Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) is dedicated to protecting and improving community health across 41 municipalities by preventing disease, promoting wellness, and responding to public health threats. Through education, policies, and partnerships, FCPH continues to provide valuable services to residents and stakeholders. In 2024, the department reaffirmed its commitment to excellence by achieving reaccreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board, meeting nationally recognized standards in quality improvement, operations, and fiscal responsibility. This milestone reflects FCPH’s ongoing dedication to ensuring a healthier, safer Franklin County.

Find out more in the FCPH Annual Report »

The Coroner’s Office provides vital services for the public health and safety of our community. While our main purpose is to determine cause and manner of death, it is our hope to work with people of good will and appropriate agencies to prevent certain deaths. We want the residents of Franklin County to live their full natural lives.

~ Dr. Nathaniel Overmire, Franklin County Coroner

Agency Partner: Franklin County Coroner’s Office

The Franklin County Coroner’s Office is committed to serving the community with professionalism, compassion, and integrity. In 2024, the office investigated nearly 2,794 cases, helping law enforcement, prosecutors, and public health officials understand the causes of death in our county. By working with community partners, the office plays a key role in efforts to prevent overdoses, reduce violence, and improve maternal and infant health. These partnerships help make Franklin County a safer and healthier place to live.

In addition to investigations, the Coroner’s Office is focused on education and outreach, working with local schools to introduce students to careers in forensic science. While determining the cause of death is its primary responsibility, the office also works to prevent unnecessary deaths and improve public health. By sharing important data and collaborating with others, the Coroner’s Office helps protect and support the well-being of Franklin County residents.

Agency Partner: Franklin County Data Center

As Franklin County reflects on recent progress and achievements in technology operations, the Data Center stands out as a key part of that success. Guided by the idea of being The Hub of It All, the Data Center plays a central role in keeping the county’s technology systems reliable, secure, and running smoothly.

In today’s world, where staying connected and protecting information are more important than ever, the Data Center provides essential support for county operations. Whether it’s powering everyday tasks, helping departments serve the public, or keeping data safe, the Data Center remains a steady presence behind the scenes. The team is dedicated to making sure systems work properly and securely every day.

The work being done isn’t just about avoiding problems. It’s about building strong, dependable systems that the county can rely on now and in the future. By improving performance, strengthening security, and making systems more flexible, the Data Center helps ensure that county services continue without interruption and are ready to grow with the community’s needs.

Program Highlight: One Franklin County

The relaunch of franklincountyohio.gov in 2024 was a big step in the One Franklin County initiative, empowering the county to drive meaningful change across public services and internal operations. The One Franklin County team introduced a feedback loop that crosses agency borders with the public by adding feedback submission forms on every website page. This allowed the web team to gather meaningful insights into how the public uses the site and share actionable trends with agencies across the county. Additionally, the county has invested in building internal capacity and equipping county employees with the tools and knowledge needed to meet the needs of our diverse audiences through training in human-centered design, user journey mapping, and best practices in digital service delivery.

Agency Partner: Franklin County Animal Care and Control

Franklin County Animal Care and Control is dedicated to creating a safer, healthier community by promoting responsible pet ownership and ensuring the well-being of both people and animals. The department responds to concerns about stray or aggressive dogs, assists law enforcement, and provides compassionate care for lost and impounded pets, helping them find their way home or into loving new families.

Beyond enforcement, Animal Care & Control takes a proactive approach to public health by addressing diseases like rabies, ensuring vaccinations, and offering low-cost spay and neuter clinics. A commitment to inclusivity ensures that all residents have access to services, fostering trust and engagement in every neighborhood. Through education, outreach, and compassionate care, the agency works to build a stronger, more connected community where pets and people thrive together.

Franklin County Animal Care and Control is the largest Government Animal Control facility in the Midwest and is visited by other agencies across the U.S. who are seeking guidance on operations and advancement within their own shelters.

2024 Animal Care and Control Stats:

500+

Franklin County families received dog food since April 2024.

4,706

service requests responded to in 2024.

2,448

dogs impounded in 2024.

1,000+

dogs placed in temporary foster homes in 2024.

3,054

dog adoptions in 2024.

3,000+

lost dogs helped off the streets in 2024.

Agency Partner: Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office works diligently to protect and serve the community with a focus on safety, integrity, and public trust. As one of Ohio’s largest law enforcement agencies, it provides a wide range of services, including patrol operations, corrections, investigations, and specialized units that address complex public safety concerns. Deputies work proactively to prevent crime, respond to emergencies, and build strong partnerships with residents and local organizations.

Beyond enforcement, the Sheriff’s Office prioritizes community engagement through programs such as DARE youth outreach, crime prevention education, and mental health and wellness initiatives. Deputies are committed to serving with professionalism and compassion, fostering a culture of trust and accountability. By upholding the law with integrity and prioritizing public safety, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office strives to create a community where all individuals feel safe, valued, and respected.

Special Investigative Unit – Narcotics:

Seized significant amounts of illegal drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine.
Confiscated 196 firearms valued at $98,000, disrupting criminal activity.
Executed 327 search warrants and made 212 narcotics-related arrests.

HOPE Task Force:

Conducted 203 overdose follow-ups and 159 overdose contacts.
Connected 69 individuals to treatment services.

Recruitment, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (RDEI) Division:

Launched a successful marketing campaign, generating over 3.2 million social media clicks and nearly 1 million completed TV ad views.
Featured in Buckeye Sheriff’s magazine for recruitment success.
Achieved historic hiring numbers with 125 deputies and 64 civilian employees.

Program Highlight: Rapid Resource Center

In 2024, the Franklin County Commissioners expanded their efforts to support individuals returning to the community after incarceration by opening a new Rapid Resource Center at the James A. Karnes Corrections Center on the county’s west side. The center is designed to help people and their families as they leave jail, connecting them with essential services and support to reduce the chances of returning to the justice system.

The Rapid Resource Center provides a wide range of help – everything from a warm coat or phone charger to referrals for health care, mental health or addiction treatment, housing assistance, job training, and more. Visitors can also get help with things like applying for public benefits, getting a birth certificate, or reinstating a driver’s license. The space is welcoming, stigma free, and designed to be easy to access for those in need.

The new center builds on the success of the first Rapid Resource Center, which has already served more than 18,000 people since opening in 2021. That original site also offers temporary housing for recently released individuals who don’t have a place to go.

"Our new jail is designed to allow us to support its residents with programming, as well as to be safer for both the people who are incarcerated and the staff, and the Rapid Resource Center is an extension of that. It’ll be staffed largely with people who have experiences facing the same challenges as those who are being released, and who can help with everything from a phone charger and a warm coat to a referral for a substance abuse treatment program."~ Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce

County partners such as Primary One Health, COTA, Basecamp Recovery, and others play a key role in helping make these services possible. Together, they ensure people leaving jail have a strong foundation to rebuild their lives, which benefits the entire community.

Agency Partner: Franklin County Engineer

The Franklin County Engineer’s Office (FCEO) is responsible for maintaining and improving the county’s roads, bridges, and drainage systems to ensure safe and efficient travel for everyone. They provide important services like road repairs, engineering, construction oversight, and snow removal, all while staying within budget and meeting deadlines to get the most value for taxpayer dollars.

FCEO’s goal is to deliver high-quality, sustainable infrastructure solutions through teamwork and smart planning. They focus on managing projects efficiently and ensuring the best use of resources. By doing this, FCEO works to keep Franklin County’s roads and bridges safe, reliable, and well-maintained for the long term.

2024 Engineer Stats:

635

vehicles and equipment in our fleet.

2,981

acres mowed.

763

lane miles of roadway maintained.

281,896

square yards of cracks sealed.

64

traffic signals maintained.

42 of 356

bridges are over 100 years old.

Program Highlight: Tap in Center

Launched in 2024, the Tap in Center is a community initiative designed to help Franklin County residents resolve outstanding low-level, non-violent misdemeanor warrants without the risk of arrest. This effort promotes public safety and smart justice by preventing unnecessary entanglement in the criminal justice system. Held monthly at various public libraries, the Tap in Center offers a welcoming space where individuals can recall and reschedule cases, often tied to missed court dates or unpaid fines. By partnering with libraries, the program provides free legal services in a less intimidating setting, making justice more accessible. Additionally, on-site service providers, including Child Support Enforcement, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and Job and Family Services, connect residents with valuable resources. Appointments are required – to schedule, call the Tap in Center hotline at (614) 525-4488.

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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion