Community Safety

Building Safer Communities Through Intervention & Support

Holistic Violence Prevention

Combines public health, social services, and community-based strategies.

Community-Led Solutions

Empowering local leaders to drive culturally responsive programs.

Data-Driven Approach

Using research and analytics to improve intervention effectiveness.

Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) – City of Columbus

Category: Policy, Coordination, Strategy

Established in 2023, the Columbus Office of Violence Prevention coordinates violence prevention initiatives operated or sponsored by the City of Columbus. Their mission is to work with community organizations to make Columbus the safest big city in the country. 📍City Hall, 90 W. Broad Street, 1st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 📞6146459583

Columbus CARE Coalition

Category: Trauma Support, Victim Services, Community Healing

The Columbus CARE Coalition provides trauma-informed support to individuals, families, and neighborhoods impacted by violence. They offer healing circles, training, and wraparound services to help the community recover and build resilience.
📍240 Parsons Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
📞6146456248
🕒Monday – Friday: 8AM – 4PM

Columbus Urban League – NVIP

Category: Youth & Adult Outreach, Violence Mediation, Reentry

The Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program (NVIP) is dedicated to keeping youth and young adults safe by deescalating potential violent incidents, reducing crime, and decreasing gang-related violence. NVIP also provides access to work readiness programs, educational support, social-emotional development, and recreational opportunities.
📍788 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203
📞6142576300
🕒 Hours:Monday – Friday: 8AM – 5PM

Columbus Violence Reduction (CVR) / Group Violence Intervention (GVI)

Category: Strategic Intervention, Focused Deterrence, Crisis Management, Mediation and Violence Intervention, Community Outreach

📍4252 Groves Rd., Columbus, OH 43232
📞(614) 907-2853 (24-Hour Service Line)
🕒 Mon–Fri: 8AM–5PM

Community for New Direction (CND)

Category: Youth Prevention, Reentry, Treatment

CND supports youth and adults in Columbus through prevention, reentry, and treatment services aimed at breaking cycles of crime and violence. They offer counseling, educational programs, and community-based support for individuals transitioning from incarceration.
📍 Addresses: 993 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43205 2096 W Mound St., Columbus, OH 43223 1008 E Livingston Ave., Columbus, OH 43205 Treatment Center: 3901 E Livingston Ave., Columbus, OH 43227

End The Violence (ETV)

Category: Street Outreach, Life Coaching, Reentry

📍 810 Kimball Place, Unit B, Columbus, OH 43205
📞 (833) 388-4255 (833-ETV-4-ALL)

Halt Violence

Category: Outreach, Conflict Mediation, Reentry

📍 East: 923 E. Broad St., Lower Level, Columbus, OH 43205
📍 Hilltop: 2360 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43204
🕒 Mon–Wed & Fri: 11AM–5PM | Thurs: 11AM–9PM
📞 (614) 370-7636

Linden Anti-Violence Team

Category: Policy, Coordination, Strategy

📞 Referral Line: 6147245603

Linden Community Center
📍 Address:1350 Briarwood Ave., Columbus, OH 43211
📞 Phone:6146453067
🕒 Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 8 PM
Saturday: 9 AM – 4 PM
Sunday: Closed

ReRoute Family Engagement

Category: Family Counseling, Economic Support

📍 1393 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43205</br>
📞 (614) 674-0895

ReRoute Youth Services

Category: Youth Trauma Intervention, Peer Support

📞(614) 645-8322

Referral Form

City Attorney's Office - Columbus

Category: Legal Services, City Law, Public Safety

The City Attorney’s Office provides legal counsel to the City of Columbus, handling civil litigation, criminal prosecution, and public safety legal matters. The office ensures that city operations comply with the law, promoting public safety, justice, and legal transparency.

📍Address: 77 N. Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215
📞Phone: (614) 645-7337

VOICE Program

Category: Victim Services, Case Management, Hospital-Based Intervention

📍 VOICE operates through Columbus Public Health and Grant Medical Center
📞(614) 400-0771
📞(614) 645-6831

Violent Crime Review Group

Category: Incident Response, Strategic Planning

The Violent Crime Review Group works to analyze and respond to violent crime incidents in Columbus. The group strategizes and develops plans to address violent crime patterns and improve safety in the community.
📞 Columbus Police Non-Emergency: (614) 645-4545

Introduction to Community Violence Intervention

Columbus, Ohio, with a population of 907,901, has seen a significant rise in gun violence, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Fatal shootings increased by 56% in 2020, and the city has averaged 152 fatal and 435 nonfatal shootings annually since 2021. While government-led gun violence initiatives are limited, many community organizations have shifted their focus to violence prevention.

This report includes visualizations of gun violence incidents in 2022 and 2023, highlights key city-level programs and community-based organizations, and outlines the framework for a comprehensive CVI ecosystem. It analyzes Columbus’s current CVI efforts, identifying strengths, challenges, and goals, and offers recommendations for expanding and improving intervention strategies.

"CVI strategies are a key component of the public safety ecosystem,
working to prevent violence rather than punish people after the fact."

David Muhammad

Director, National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR)