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Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being

Charge

The original University Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being charge was to facilitate a comprehensive analysis of the challenges, opportunities, successes and potential gaps related to the safety of our Ohio State community members. The task force analyzed on-campus and University District crime statistics and current crime prevention and education resources. The group’s recommendations include improving communication, engagement and support of residents on campus and in the near-campus neighborhoods. Recommendations focus on resources that are most important to tangibly improving safety, sense of belonging and community confidence among those engaging in the area. The task force was challenged to identify tactics that help to minimize violence, crime and high-risk activities and behaviors. The group’s approach was anchored in principles that reinforce partnership, well-being, community-building and outcomes-based results.

Following a comprehensive review, the task force published the below recommendations on November 18, 2020 in conjunction with a presentation to Ohio State's Board of Trustees.

Task Force Recommendations

 

Task Force Implementation Progress

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Safety Awareness and Education

Communication and programming to enhance safety and embrace diversity and inclusion.

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Enhanced Security Measures

Expanded surveillance, improved lighting and increased police and security patrols.

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Outreach and Engagement

Social services and community partnerships along with police outreach to marginalized groups.

Safety Awareness and Education
RecommendationsRationaleAction(s) TakenStatus
Develop a comprehensive, layered educational campaign of all safety resources.
  • Connect students with education and resources so they are more informed about crime prevention, bystander intervention and how to access resources
  • Consider the impact of alcohol on crime and promote harm reduction and prevention efforts 
Completed
(Spring 2021)
Expand and enhance the Community Ambassador program.
  • Increased engagement and targeted communication with University District students/residents. 
  • Variety of communication methods will be critical to not only disseminate information but to also learn from students (what they are experiencing, what they want/need, etc.). 
  • Expanded service boundaries and staffing.
  • In the process of hiring full-time staff and additional student employees to support the expanded Community Ambassador Program for autumn 2022.
  • Provided resources to our students and collected information throughout the school year as part of our annual outreach program. 

 

Completed (Spring 2022)

Ongoing

Create and launch a safety class targeted for community members living off-campus.
  • Empower students to gain knowledge about how to promote personal safety
  • A new Stay Safe, Buckeyes online safety class to help students enhance their own safety on and off-campus. The one-hour, video-based module is hosted in BuckeyeLearn and covers topics such as crime prevention, crime reporting, when and how the university sends safety notifications and more. 
Completed (Fall 2021)
Increase access and attendance in the off-campus living workshops
  • Prepare students and their families for the transition from on-campus living to off-campus living
  • Solicited feedback from parents and families to keep all Buckeyes informed about the transition off-campus.
  • Piloting a revamped workshop with 10 STEP cohorts and to be rolled out to students living in residence halls during the autumn semester
  • Recorded a student virtual workshop to be accessible 24/7 (video).
  • Worked with Parent and Family Relations to host live and recorded parents/family workshops (video).
  • Piloted a revamped workshop with 10 STEP cohorts in autumn 2021. Beginning in autumn 2022, the workshop will be offered to all Step cohorts.
  • Working with Residence Life to integrate off-campus education into their Residential Curriculum for first and second-year students.

Completed Fall 2021

Ongoing

Enhance the existing cultural diversity and implicit bias training in OSUPD
  • Training topics over the past several years have included implicit bias, bias-based profiling, crisis intervention (has de-escalation components), but a more comprehensive approach would advance these efforts
  • Enhanced cultural diversity training for OSUPD. University Police supervisors graduated from a 6-week online leadership course from the National Center for Civil and Human Rights called, “Promoting and Protecting Civil and Human Rights.”
  • Partnered with the Kirwan Institute to develop and implement annual training program. See a video on this training from Spring 2022.

Completed (Summer 2021)


Completed (Spring 2022)

 

Enchanced Security Measures
RecommendationsRationaleAction(s) TakenStatus
Reintroduce an unarmed security presence to provide community-based crime prevention in the University District.
  • Increase awareness of crime prevention, build relationships with members of the community, reallocate policing resources to situations where their expertise is most needed, deter crime and increase sense of safety
  • Reengaged with Community Crime Patrol for off-campus security foot patrols.
  • Created Buckeye Block Watch which includes Community Crime Patrol and Block by Block.
  • Utilized private security patrols to supplement sworn police and other non-sworn security in off-campus area.
  • Relaunched Campus Service Officer program with student security paired in vehicles.

Completed (Fall 2020)

 

 

Completed (Fall 2021)

 

Evaluate lighting and landscape in the off-campus neighborhoods in partnership with the City of Columbus.
  • Security-enhancing work and upgrades aim to increase safety; public safety scorecard will keep community up to date on progress
  • Immediate lighting repairs along with a lighting survey to inform longer-term enhancements.
  • Monthly surveillance and reporting of streetlight concerns to the City of Columbus by the Community Crime Patrol 
  • Added mobile lights (Aug. 27, 2021) along highly traveled off-camus pathways. Transitioned a potion of mobile lights to permanent LED lighting in Spring 2022.
  • Working with property owners to encourage and maintain exterior lighting and landscape to promote safety in the community 

Completed (Fall 2020)

Ongoing

Partially Completed (Spring 2022)

Ongoing

Extend the hours and promotion of the Lyft Ride Smart program.
  • Provide access to safe transportation at all hours when other services such as CABS and COTA are not available
  • Expanded discounted ridesharing hours from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (formerly 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.)
  • Expanded service to the Short North, along High Street

Completed (Fall 2020)

Completed (Fall 2021)

Expand and enhance Ohio State Off-Campus Housing Network (previously known as the Off-Campus Housing Excellence Program)
  • Engage local landlords in meaningful way to educate them on safety as well as provide students with resources on which landlords are partnering with university on safety
  • Ensure access and appropriate use of security devices
  • Developed the Ohio State Off-Campus Housing Network, which will be a partnership across our community that will support an iconic off-campus residential experience. 
  • Property owners that participate in the Ohio State Off-Campus Housing Network will commit to pre-determined criteria and be considered in-network.  Those property owners in-network will be the only entities to access the Ohio State Off-Campus Housing Network benefits. 
  • In addition, students and families will have access to information about in-network property owners and will be able to make informed decisions about living off-campus.  

Completed (Spring 2022)

Ongoing

Expand surveillance coverage in the off-campus neighborhoods.
  • Enable CPD and OSU DPS to access camera view in the surrounding areas when they become aware of a safety concern  
  • Expanded surveillance coverage in the off-campus neighborhoods with the addition of four cameras in Fall 2020 and five during Spring 2021.
Completed (Spring 2021)
Increase the staffing of OSUPD to allow for more joint coverage and OSUPD patrol coverage of university property East of High.
  • Allows for an OSU police officer to be available as a liaison to help students in the off-campus neighborhoods
  • Increased police presence in the off-campus area with a combination of OSUPD and CPD officers. Ohio State and the City of Columbus adjusted to crime trends by redeploying on-duty patrols and staffing patrols on overtime to add to the police presence in the University District.
  • OSUPD continues to recruit, hire and train sworn police officers to fill vacancies and retirements. The goal to expand OSUPD coverage, through joint patrol east of High Street, is longer-term and anticipated for FY23. Joint patrol was reinitiated in June 2022.

 

Completed (Summer 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

Outreach and Engagement Efforts
RecommendationsRationaleActions TakenStatus
Conduct a campus-wide safety survey for students.
  • To better understand perception of safety as well as student awareness of safety resources
  • Issued a student safety survey in Spring 2021 to gauge the overall perception of safety both on and off campus as well as awareness of Ohio State’s resources and programs.
  • Results have been analyzed and shared.

Completed (Spring 2021)

Completed (Fall 2022)

 

 

Add resources to the University District Organization (UDO) to develop and offer social service outreach.
  • Provide dedicated outreach to properly connect the homeless to resources and support
Completed (Summer 2021)
Develop and strengthen OSU partnerships with grass roots and community organizations to advance greater safety and wellness.
  • Reinforce relationships between Ohio State and community organizations to address chronic stressors within the campus community thereby increasing safety and wellness. 
  • To advance greater safety and wellness, Student Life provided event space and support for an 8-week summer “Pathways to Progress” program for 100 youth (16-18 years old).
  • University District Organization and University Area Commission are launching the "Be/well" initiative to engage community members and groups in gathering feedback about community safety and well-being, and how they want to see community cultivated.
  • Pre-semester messaging about resources and how to support students is being distributed to local businesses, property owners, etc.

Completed (Summer 2021)

Ongoing

Work with the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) to expand on OSU PD’s existing community policing programs and initiatives, with a special focus on outreach and interactions with marginalized groups.
  • Improve the relationship between the police and the communities they serve
  • Increase positive and safe interactions aimed to build trust and reduce fear with all communities
  • Student Safety Dialogue was held on Thursday, April 22. Students had the opportunity to share what safety means to them to a panel of university and external representatives, including OSUPD, CPD, Student Life and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
  • Community outreach and engagement opportunities were offered to programs and student organizations over the summer (i.e., Office of Diversity and Inclusion early arrival, Young Scholars Program, Redefining Athletic Standards, etc.) with future engagement planned an expected throughout the year.
Ongoing

 

Implementation Team Members

Following the development and approval of the recommendations put forth by the Task Force, three implementation teams were formed to analyze and create implementation plans for each of the recommendations:

  1. Safety Awareness and Education
  2. Enhanced Security Measures
  3. Outreach and Engagement Efforts

These teams are supported by executive sponsors from across the university.

Implementation Team Executive Sponsors

The executive sponsors of the Community Safety and Well-Being Task Force are:

Jay Kasey
Senior Vice President for Administration and Planning

Mike Papadakis, MBA
Senior Vice President and CFO, Treasurer

Paul Patton
Senior Advisor to the President, Office of the President

Melissa Shivers, PhD
Vice President for the Office of Student Life

Safety and Education Implementation Team
Safety and Education Implementation Team
NameArea 

Dr. Stephen Quaye (Co-Chair)

quaye.13@osu.edu

Associate Professor

Higher Education and Student Affairs

Department of Educational Studies

Blake Marble (Co-Chair)

marble.11@osu.edu

Director of Student Life Student Wellness Center 
Dilna Cama

Department Manager,

Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services. Office of Student Life

Dan HedmanDirector A&P Communications
Molly Hegarty

Managing Director

OSU Student Legal Services

Sheri TandonParent Representative
Bill PhillipsChief Relationship Office, OCIO
Kate GomezStudent Representative
Joanna ShaulLieutenant, University Law Enforcement Officer, University Police
Zaida JenkinsRepresentative from Undergraduate Student Government
Tom KnoxAssistant Director, University Communications
Claire HalffieldRepresentative from Inter-Professional Council
Nicole HolmanAssistant Director, A&P Communications
Dennis Jeffrey

Commander-Patrol Operations Zone 4

Columbus Division of Police, The City of Columbus

Rachel DeMooyProgram Manager, Off-Campus Commuter Student Services, Office of Student Life
Enhanced Security Measures Implementation Team
Enhanced Security Measures Implementation Team
NameArea 

Director Monica Moll (Co-Chair)

moll.43@osu.edu

Director, Department of Public Safety

Aaron Moore (Co-Chair)

moore.2542@osu.edu

Program Coordinator, A&P Administration
Dennis Jeffrey

Commander-Patrol Operations Zone 4

Columbus Division of Police, The City of Columbus

Doug HuffnerSenior Director & Chief Risk Officer, Office of Financial Services / Business & Finance
Nick MessengerRepresentative from the Council of Graduate Students
Bill PhillipsChief Relationship Office, OCIO
Stacey RenkerDirector of Risk and Emergency Management, Office of Student Life
Dilna Cama

Department Manager,

Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services. Office of Student Life

Rachel DeMooyProgram Manager, Off-Campus Commuter Student Services, Office of Student Life
Aparna DialSenior Director of Sustainability and Strategic Services, Facilities Operations and Development
Deputy Chief Tracy HahnDeputy Chief of Police, University Police Department
Shea DaleyRepresentative from Inter-Professional Council
Nicole HolmanAssistant Director, A&P Communications
Aaron McKeeRepresentative from Undergraduate Student Government
Outreach and Engagement Implementation Team
Outreach and Engagement Implementation Team

Trudy Bartley (Co-Chair)

bartley.80@osu.edu

Associate Vice President

Local and Community Relations

OSU Government Affairs

Matt Hansen (Co-Chair)

hansen.175@osu.edu

Senior Campus Planner

Planning Architecture and Real Estate

Jennifer Beard

Assistant Dean

OSU College of Public Health

Natassja BohamRepresentative from Inter-Professional Council
Tom GregoireDean - OSU College of Social Work
Grace Johnson

Chief of Staff

OSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Craig Stone

Deputy Public Safety Director

Columbus Division of Police

Bill PhillipsChief Relationship Office, OCIO
Kimberly Spears-McNatt Chief of Police, University Police
Nicole NietoAssistant Vice Provost, Academic Affairs
Na’Tyra GreenAssociate Editor, Executive Communications
Grant AmesLegislative Assistant for Columbus City Councilman Mitchell Brown
Keith TroyPastor, New Salem Baptist Church
Adam TroyCommercial Real Estate and Economic Development
Kacy BullardDirector of Advocacy, Office of Government Affairs and The Ohio State University Alumni Association
Katherine CullNeighborhood Liaison with the City of Columbus
Doreen Uhas SauerEducation and Outreach Coordinator, Columbus Landmarks
DaVonti HaynesGraduate Research Associate, Student Life
Sandra LopezLegislative Advisor, Community Engagement Columbus City Council
Tracy StuckProg Dir Comm Partnership & Innovation, Student Life
Anna StewartAssistant Director of Field Education, College of Social Work

 

Safety Resources

Rave Guardian

Download the app by searching “Rave Guardian” inside the Ohio State app.

Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State

Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State offers students discounted rides, inside the university-designated service area, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Safety Notices

Ohio State’s Department of Public Safety uses a variety of methods to communicate with the campus community. 

Home Safety

Remember to lock your windows and doors and pick up complimentary safety alarms and timers from the Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services office located in the Ohio Union.

Add OSUPD to Your Contacts

Add our non-emergency number 614-292-2121 to your contacts and always dial 9-1-1 in case of emergencies.