Resources, City Spotlights Columbus (OH)

City Spotlight: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Columbus is the capital of and largest city in the state of Ohio. Known for its vibrant population, the City has embraced a collaborative and inclusive approach – dubbed ‘The Columbus Way’ – to foster cohesion, promote safety and build resilience against hate, extremism and social polarisation. This approach is characterised by strong partnerships among local government, community-based organisations, academic institutions and other local stakeholders.

The City of Columbus joined the Strong Cities Network in 2022 and has participated in multiple Strong Cities events since becoming a member, including in several workshops held under the Strong Cities Transatlantic Dialogue Initiative. Inspired by the potential for city-to-city learning, Mayor Andrew Ginther and the City also co-hosted a September 2024 Transatlantic Dialogue on City Leadership in Maintaining Social Cohesion Amid Global Crises: Learning from ‘The Columbus Way’ and Other City-Led Approaches in Europe and North America. The Mayor also serves on the Strong Cities International Steering Committee.

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What is the local government concerned about?

Columbus, like many cities across the United States, has faced significant challenges related to hate incidents, social polarisation and erosions in public trust. Events such as the 2020 social justice protests following the murder of George Floyd underscored the need for more effective ways to maintain social cohesion, rebuild inter-community trust and trust with law enforcement and prevent violence during times of heightened tension. Additionally, global crises, such as the Israel-Gaza conflict, have spurred local tensions, increasing the risk of hate incidents and inter-community divisions.

How is the local government responding?

Columbus has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges. Key among these is the Police Dialogue Team, a unit within the Columbus Division of Police that focuses on de-escalation and communication during protests and other high-tension situations. This innovative approach was developed in collaboration with the Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs and is informed by research-based crowd management techniques from European policing models. The Dialogue Team’s primary goal is to maintain constructive communication with protest organisers and minimise the potential for violence. Since its inception in late 2022, this initiative has been instrumental in ensuring peaceful protests, especially during high-tension periods, such as the public’s response to the Israel-Gaza crisis and activism (such as marches) by hate groups in the city.

Clifford Stott, Visiting Professor at The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs, who supported the creation of the Columbus Police Dialogue Team speaking at Strong Cities’ Columbus Transatlantic Dialogue event (September 2024)

Overall, the Police Dialogue Team has not only improved public safety but also restored trust between law enforcement and the community. Nationally, Columbus is now recognised as a model for managing protests and fostering social cohesion, inspiring other cities to adopt similar strategies.

Columbus’ commitment to community safety extends far beyond law enforcement engagement. The City’s Office of Violence Prevention employs a public health approach to understand the root causes of violence and develop effective solutions. This office coordinates a community violence intervention ecosystem that brings together educators, healthcare providers, and community-based organisations to better address community needs comprehensively and proactively.

The City also has a dedicated programme focused on integrating migrant and refugee communities into its social fabric. This Welcoming City initiative provides language access, cultural competency training and leadership development initiatives to empower ‘new arrivals’ and strengthen community connections. Mayor Ginther continually highlights the program as a bedrock of the City’s growth stating, “We need to continue welcoming refugees. Our American-born labour force is ageing, and Ohioans are having fewer children. Welcoming refugees is not just the right thing to do, it also makes economic sense.”

More broadly – and again inspired by The Columbus Way – the City encourages all sectors of the city and community to contribute and collaborate to promote social cohesion, trust and community safety including:

Ohio State University: Columbus has leveraged its strong partnership with the Ohio State University to enhance its prevention and response strategies. For example, the University’s public safety initiatives have complemented city efforts to manage campus protests effectively. The Ohio State University’s cooperative approach includes engagement teams trained in de-escalation, cultural competency training for staff, and educational platforms like the Listen and Learn website, which fosters civic engagement and understanding of free speech rights. These efforts have significantly improved trust and collaboration between students, law enforcement and city officials.
The Columbus Foundation: The City collaborates with The Columbus Foundation, one of the largest community foundations in the United States, which provides grants to local organisations and programmes that support community well-being. A key feature of its approach involves ‘human-centred’ design, ensuring that the ultimate beneficiaries of its work, including the initiatives it funds, are consulted in decision-making and co-implement initiatives.
Other: The Columbus Partnership, a coalition of CEOs and local businesses in Columbus, also works through public-private partnerships to support the local economy, particularly through entrepreneurship, enhancing the city’s growth and community well-being.

What’s next?

The City of Columbus continues to prioritise community safety and resilience through its multi-actor coordination and innovative programmes. By building on its strong partnerships with academic institutions, community-based organisations, other local stakeholders and regional partners, the City aims to further enhance its comprehensive approach to prevention and response. As an active member of the Strong Cities Network, the City is also committed to continuing to leverage the Network’s platform for city-city learning to ensure its own strategies remain effective and are informed by lessons from cities across the world.

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City Spotlight: Columbus, Ohio, USA

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