City leaders seek signatures in pledge against Columbus violence

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus city leaders are urging community members to sign a pledge to set a new standard when it comes to crime in Columbus. 

They are calling the campaign “We Got US,” and city leaders said the pledge is about engaging everyone to be a part of change in the city. They said throughout the rest of the year, Columbus residents will see city leaders at all kinds of community events to bring more people in.

“A goal isn't a goal until it's written down,” Columbus City Council Member Emmanuel Remy said. “We all are committed to making sure that our communities are a safer place. But taking this pledge is just actually affirming it and writing that we're all going to work together to make it happen.”

One of the campaign's focuses is on uniting against gun violence. Columbus police have reported around 70 homicides in the city so far this year, more than half of which involve guns. According to police data, these numbers are down compared to the last four years.

“It's no time for us to let down the guard because we know that in any given moment, things could rise again,” Remy said.

He said another goal of the pledge is to empower youth. Remy said despite summer programming coming to an end and kids going back to the classroom, they have plans to engage the city’s young people.

“So as we go back to school and as we see kids get involved with their high schools and the groups that they're involved with, we want to make sure that they're having the opportunity to take the pledge,” Remy said.

He said they are partnering with groups like Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children to get the word out. 

“Our goal is to make sure that we're continually messaging this, getting people's commitment. It allows us to engage further down the road," Remy said.

Remy said they have fewer than one thousand people who have signed the pledge so far. They are hoping for that number to grow in the coming weeks.

To read more and sign the pledge, citizens can go to wegotuscbus.com.