More cameras to battle certain crimes are coming to Columbus; January crime data below:
Columbus Police command staff and patrol officers and citizens of Columbus recently held a neighborhood watch forum on January 27th.
In the forum and discussion group, Police Chief Freddie Blackmon made it very aware that officials belonging to City of Columbus are just as frustrated as they are with the rise in violent crime. The violent crime they are talking about is the 70 homicides, 63 which were murders, just in 2021. The first and only homicide of 2022 occurred on January 16th which left a local grandmother dead.
In 2021, out of 63 murders only 34 have been solved. Blackmon continue to ask for help in identifying the perpetrators. John House, A City of Columbus councilor, said warrants are out for three more of the murders in a post on Facebook.
Also at the meeting, the group asked for more cameras.
Assistant Chief Debra Kennedy announced that cameras will be deployed on public property. “Any group could help by setting up their own tag reader camera for $2,500 per year plus an installation fee,” Kennedy said in the meeting.
House also added to the post saying, “A pastor present asked for information on how citizens could help with additional cameras.” Another pastor encouraged that the city consider incentivizing citizens getting Ring doorbells so that more cameras could be available. “The meeting was a productive discussion among concerned citizens and the CPD,” House added.
In 2022, Columbus has only had one homicide, 7 people shot, 7 shots fired scenes , and 4 robberies – just in January. The homicide rate in January has declined by .16% as last year Columbus saw 6 homicides in January. In 2020, Columbus saw 7 homicides.
If you know anything call Columbus Police or if you have an emergency call 911.
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