As 2022 Columbus homicide rate falls from record high, youth involvement in violence rises
As Columbus saw homicides decline in 2022 by nearly one-third, law enforcement is still contending with a rising rate of youth involvement in homicides as well as a rapid rise in car thefts, Columbus officials said during a Thursday crime update.
Columbus ended 2022 with 140 homicides, a 32% decrease from the previous year's record-breaking 205. Other violent crimes such as rape and felonious assault also decreased year-over-year, according to police data. Columbus homicide detectives had a 63% clearance rate last year compared to 48% in 2021.
Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said the city was hoping to carry positive momentum into 2023.
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"We've come a long way, but this is not a victory lap and we are not resting on our laurels," Ginther said. "We will not rest, and I will not yield until we are the safest big city in America."
Despite the overall decline in homicide, youth involvement in homicides continues to rise — 10% of victims were under 18 and 33% were under 21 — reflecting a 9% rise from the previous year, Columbus police Chief Elaine Bryant said. In homicide investigations, 12% of suspects have been identified as juveniles.
City homicide detectives announced this week that four teenagers — including two 14-year-olds — have been charged in connection with the Dec. 3 robbery and fatal shooting of Thomas Hritzo III, 18, who died of his injuries Dec. 3.
Ginther said the city planned to expand funding to engage with Columbus youth through summer and after-school programs as well as work programs, in an effort to keep them from turning to crime.
"It takes prevention, intervention and enforcement," Ginther said of youth-involved violence. "And that's why we were seeing some of the success we're seeing, but we're going to have to continue to invest in our young people."
Columbus experienced soaring vehicle thefts in 2022
Columbus, like many other cities across the country, experienced a surge in vehicle thefts last year as thieves, especially juvenile suspects, exploit a design flaw in certain Kia and Hyundai models that make them easy targets for theft.
In 2022, Columbus saw 7,785 vehicle thefts, a 64% increase since 2020 and 22% from last year, Bryant said. Of those thefts this year, 45% were Kia and Hyundai vehicles.
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"It's going to be important for us to be proactive, but it's not just a police issue, this is a community issue," Bryant said. "So we're going to have to work collectively, not only with our judicial system, not only with our other city entities, to try to get these kids before it gets to that point."
Columbus police Cmdr. Duane Mabry said that many of the crimes were perpetrated by a group of 71 youths. The thefts spiked during the summer months as the rash of vehicle thefts trended nationally. He warned that vehicle theft is a "gateway crime," and that many of those suspected of vehicle theft have since turned to violent crime.
"The amount of violence I've seen these kids turn to is shocking," Mabry said.
What crimes trended downward?
Most violent and property crimes trended downward, city officials said. Among those are:
Felonious assault declined from 2021 by over 16% from the previous year.
Reports of rape declined by nearly 11%, although remains near 2020 levels.
Police seized more than 3,300 guns — a record number. In June, police said they had seized 1,200.
Columbus police seized $6 million in fentanyl, $4 million in methamphetamine, and $3 million in cocaine.
Columbus police received a record number of tips this year as community cooperation to help solve crimes appears to be increasing.
News: About 1,500 guns recovered in Columbus so far in 2022 as city outlines gun violence strategy
"Community safety is our top priority — period," Ginther said. "There's the old saying that goes 'don't tell me, show me.' Well, we're here today to do just that."
Alternative response teams see success in 2022 data
Columbus Fire Chief Jeffrey Happ said that the division's Right Response Unit fielded more than 2,800 calls in 2022 and less than a tenth of all calls diverted through the unit resulted in an arrest.
The unit consists of a dispatcher, a Columbus Public Health social worker and a city Division of Fire paramedic who are embedded in the 911 dispatch call center to review and screen calls that might be suitable for a medical or mental health response that doesn't involve police. There are currently two dispatchers working alongside social workers.
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"These kinds of cross-departmental alternative response programs don't fit the traditional model of public safety, but we are seeing positive results every single day." Happ said.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story incorrect spelled the last name of the Columbus fire chief.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus homicide rate falls as youth involvement continues rise
