Community Safety, Security, & Effective Justice

Ensuring the safety and security of Franklin County residents is among the commissioners’ most important duties and one they take very seriously. Almost 60% of the commissioners’ General Fund budget supports safety, security, and justice programs such as the Sheriff’s Office, the county court system, Animal Care and Control, and the jail. In addition to protecting residents, the commissioners are also committed to the ideals of smart justice and a justice system that supports the people with whom it is in contact so that they can be successful in the community and to reduce recidivism.

Justice Policy and Programs

The commissioners’ Office of Justice Policy and Programs (JPP) coordinates with the county’s Criminal Justice Planning Board and oversees reentry planning for incarcerated residents returning to the community. This team also oversees intimate partner violence prevention efforts, smart justice initiatives such as Stepping Up, and incorporates CASA of Franklin County, the Court Appointed Special Advocates who look out for the best interests for vulnerable Franklin County children.

A few of the services provided by the JPP team in 2022 include:

1,123

Narcan kits were distributed to at-risk individuals being released from Franklin County jails.

256

CASA volunteers were trained to serve as Guardians ad Litem for abused and neglected children.

2,004

People were linked to benefits, clothing and more at JPP’s Rapid Resource Center.

171

Men and women were provided case management services through JPP’s Pathways Program, prior to release.

690

Justice practitioners were taught the dynamics of domestic violence.

3,249

Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking victims were helped with services.

696

The number of vulnerable abused or neglected youth represented by CASA volunteers in Franklin County courts.

$1 Million

The amount commissioners gave to LSS Choices for Victims of Domestic Violence, to help expand its emergency shelter.

This year, Franklin County was the first local government in the country to join the national Justice Counts initiative, which will provide quick, modern analysis of criminal justice data in order to give decision-makers the best, most up-to-date information.

Justice Policy and Programs also operates the Rapid Resource Center at our county’s jail facilities. The walk-in center is a welcoming space near where detainees are released and can provide various services to newly-released inmates and the families of those who are leaving the jail, including planning for transitioning back to the community, referrals for workforce training or other services, and essential services such as renewing a drivers’ license or finding nutritional support. They can also connect people with emergency shelter or clothing, addiction or other mental health treatment options, Narcan, and other supportive services.

Franklin County Coroner's Office

Last year marked the Franklin County Coroner's Office's first full year in the new state-of-the-art Forensic Science Center on the southwest side of Franklin County.

The new facility increased the coroner's capacity and capabilities, including with a full toxicology lab, additional autopsy suites, CT scanners, and counseling and care spaces for families.

Total Reported Cases to the Coroner's Office by Year:

Public Health

In 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic was in its third year, yet Franklin County reached and maintained a low threat level. The commissioners allocated more than $5 million for vaccines and prevention, distributing personal protective equipment, and continuing to provide meals to seniors living at home. They work closely with their partners at Franklin County Public Heath to ensure that all of our residents have the tools and information they need to be well.

Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS) works hand-in-hand with the commissioners to help keep our community safe from natural and man-made disasters and coordinates planning, education, warning, response, and recovery efforts to prepare and protect the residents of Franklin County.

Emergency Management and Homeland Security In 2022, EMA began a new mass notification program to provide text alerts to Franklin County residents during a disaster or other critical incident. The new initiative is called FCReady. It’s a free service and signing up doesn’t require residents to create an account or submit personal information to get disaster and weather alerts.

Last fall, the Emergency Management Agency hosted a workshop to review snow emergency levels and how government agencies and schools make decisions about whether to close or delay services.

Here, Franklin County Administrator Kenneth N. Wilson and Sheriff Dallas Baldwin met with EMA and team members from the Franklin County Engineer’s Office, City of Columbus, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and American Electric Power.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

Last year, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office began the process of equipping all deputies with body-worn cameras, and a pilot program for the cameras is now underway. The commissioners spent more than $2.5 million in 2022 to purchase the cameras and worked very closely with the sheriff and county prosecutor to develop the policies that will govern their use and determine how body-camera video will be stored, redacted, and released to the public.

The first two phases of the county’s new jail on Fisher Road will open in 2023, replacing the downtown jail that was built more than 50 years ago. The new corrections center was built with safety in mind and has extensive spaces dedicated for treatment and programs to help inmates be successful both inside and outside of the jail.

Department of Animal Care and Control

The commissioners’ Department of Animal Care and Control operates Franklin County’s dog shelter and enforces the laws related to dog ownership to keep the public safe and provide compassionate care and adoption services for the animals in our shelter.

County residents provided more than 19,000 volunteer hours at the shelter last year, walking and caring for the dogs and even bringing much-needed bags of ice to help keep the pups cool during a power outage in a heat wave. Meanwhile, the law enforcement officers at Animal Care and Control responded to nearly 10,000 calls for service.