Some split on effectiveness of Short North safety measures

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Safety in the Short North has been a topic of discussion the past few weeks after a mass shooting left 10 people hurt late last month.

The City of Columbus is adding more safety measures that leaders said will be in place for the foreseeable future. But will those measures help deter violence?

Some said they feel safe in the Short North, while others do not. A few do think these measures will work, while others aren’t so sure. However, leaders said it’s all part of their commitment to keeping everyone safe.

“We are just trying to be safe, have a good time, go home and have a good summer,” resident Daniel Ross said.

Every year, thousands of people make their way to the Short North, whether for shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, or having a drink with friends. City leaders want to make sure that everyone who spends time on High Street wants to return.

“Safety of everyone who enjoys the Short North is important 24/7, 365 days a year,” Mary Jo Hudson, president of the Short North Alliance board of trustees, said.

Hudson said that after gathering community feedback, Columbus will be adding additional safety measures. 

“I think this is the most concerted effort yet in terms of safety,” she said.

Those measures include officers patrolling at bar closing time, extending bike and foot patrol units until 4 a.m.; having officers from the Gang Enforcement Unit out and about, both in uniform and in plain clothes; and adding light and camera towers and signage, letting people know that they’re being monitored around the clock.

Those efforts are in addition to the measures that are already in place. Some people think this will help.

“People that are looking to make trouble, if they see, you know, that the area's patrolled, well, I think, yeah, it would deter them for sure,” resident Victor Verdier said.

“Yes, these things are happening down here, but I think the reaction has been really good to help improve that, and I personally feel very safe down here, living and working down here,” resident Hannah Mummey said.

Others don’t think this will change anything. 

“They got enough cameras, they got enough guards, but there's the moral of the story -- y'all just need to leave that drama where y'all live at,” Ross said.

Leaders said these safety measures will be in place for the foreseeable future. Hudson said she’d like to see them continue throughout at least the fall because Ohio State football games tend to draw large crowds.