How is Columbus investing in community safety? 

When relocating to a new city, we know safety is a top priority for you and your family. We all want to feel safe, whether we’re at the park with our kids or enjoying a night out. As you consider making Columbus, GA your home, it’s important to learn about the many proactive programs and initiatives the city utilizes to maintain a safe and secure community.

Safety Programs in Columbus

What sets Columbus apart is the city’s proactive commitment to safety and building an even better future for its residents.

In 2024, the city invested $1 million to support local organizations through crime prevention grants. Below are some of the initiatives and programs that are committed to the safety of Columbus and the well-being of its citizens.

Cure Violence

Cure Violence Columbus was created by five local citizens in partnership with West Central Health District. The program takes a proactive approach to long-term crime prevention and community safety by addressing underlying factors such as poverty, education, and systemic inequities. For example, they host Family Resource nights to connect Columbus residents with local nonprofits and organizations that provide necessities and enrichment services. They also host school events, like leadership workshops, to empower youth to be entrepreneurs.

Connect Columbus

The Columbus Police Department recently launched a new public safety program called Connect Columbus, that encourages residents and business owners to register the location of their surveillance cameras. This voluntary program helps speed up emergency response times by enabling public safety departments like the Columbus Police Department and Columbus Fire & Emergency Medical Services to locate cameras in the vicinity of an accident. Registrant information is confidential and these parties do not have direct access to the camera feed unless authorized by the registrant, and they will only request footage in the event of an emergency, accident, or criminal investigation.

Neighborhood Watch

In partnership with the Columbus Police Department, Neighborhood Watch and Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (S.A.L.T.) are training programs for Columbus residents to monitor and report suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. These community-driven initiatives foster collaboration between citizens and law enforcement to help report and address crime.

Crime Stoppers and TipSoft

Columbus offers two powerful tools for anonymous crime reporting: Crime Stoppers and TipSoft. These programs allow citizens to share tips with law enforcement anonymously, helping to prevent illegal activities before they escalate. Crime Stoppers even offers rewards for tips that lead to arrests, incentivizing community involvement in crime prevention.

Empowering and Uplifting Columbus

In addition to safety and violence prevention, there are several organizations and city-led initiatives that are investing in residents’ long-term wellbeing and quality of life.

Better Work Georgia

Better Work Georgia, a program of the Georgia Center for Opportunity, is focused on combating poverty by connecting community members with skills training and employment opportunities. Their goal is to equip workers with the skills, training, and long-term support they need to thrive in their careers.

Columbus Empowerment Initiative

Established in 2023, the Columbus Empowerment Initiative is dedicated to fostering community change, particularly in neighborhoods impacted by crime, as well as engaging local schools and businesses to create a network of support and empowerment. By connecting communities with resources, education, and support systems, the initiative aims to break cycles of violence and uplift at-risk populations.

Turn Around Columbus

Turn Around Columbus is dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty and violence by creating spaces of hope and purpose for youth. Through hands-on agricultural and entrepreneurship programs, urban gardens, and restorative justice trainings, Turn Around Columbus aims to uplift, educate, and equip children with skills that last a lifetime.

Boys and Girls Club of the Chattahoochee Valley

The Boys & Girls Club of the Chattahoochee Valley plays a crucial role in nurturing educational and personal success for children from underserved communities. Their goal is to fill the gap between school and home by encouraging healthy lifestyles, providing academic support, and teaching character and leadership development.  In fact, 90% of club members report receiving mostly As & Bs!

Boyz 2 Men Development

Boyz 2 Men Development supports foster families and children through a range of services, including after-school mentoring, supportive group activities, and community outreach. The organization hopes to nurture the potential of youth by providing safe spaces for foster children to grow and rally support for foster families from the community.

Considering a move to Columbus, Georgia?

Columbus, GA, distinguishes itself through its strong, proactive approach to safety and its investment in community-driven initiatives–in fact, that’s one of the many things that makes Columbus a great place to live.

With programs like Cure Violence and Better Work Georgia, Columbus is committed to both reducing crime and addressing its root causes. If you’re passionate about making a difference, you can volunteer with these organizations and join a dedicated community working together to keep the city safe for everyone.

If you’re thinking about moving to Columbus, feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to share more information about our city’s safety programs and why we love living in this southern city.