Franklin County to address gun violence as 'scourge,' but not as 'public health crisis'

Nathaniel Shuda, The Columbus Dispatch
·4 min read

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday that commits the county to addressing what it calls "the scourge of gun violence" in the county, the state and across the country.

A similar resolution that would have declared gun violence a public health crisis — what Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther did earlier this year — was originally on the agenda for the board's July 19 meeting, but that resolution was postponed while county staff crafted a more detailed action plan.

"This resolution before us is better than what we started with because it's not just a statement of a problem, a statement of something that hurts us deep down in our soul when we see the news," County Administrator Kenneth Wilson said. "We've got to create additional opportunities through action, and I think a lot of that is in this resolution."

News:Gun violence was declared a public health crisis in Columbus. Here's what that means

According to Franklin County data, 1,066 county residents were fatally shot from 2017 to 2021, increasing the county's mortality rate for gun-related deaths from 16.1 to 20.6 for each 100,000 residents. The gun-related mortality rate among residents ages 20-24 is among the highest of any age group, followed by those who are 18 and 19, said Lauren Rummel, the county's director of government affairs and ethics.

"Gun violence affects people of all ages and races, but it disproportionately affects young people, men, people of color, veterans and pregnant and postpartum people," Rummel said.

What will Franklin County do to curb gun violence?

So, what does it mean for a government entity to declare gun violence a public health crisis?

News:Franklin County may declare gun violence a public health crisis. What would that mean?

According to the American Public Health Association, declaring gun violence a public health crisis or any government decree to attack the problem could involve a number of strategies. Among them are enforcement; prevention efforts that address underlying systemic social inequalities that cause someone to turn to crime; and intervention efforts that involve engaging with those at risk of getting caught up in the cycle of violence.

Much like the original measure before the wording change, the resolution that the commissioners approved Tuesday commits the county to several prevention and intervention efforts:

  • Focusing on reducing poverty and addressing racial inequities;

  • Investing in mental health and addiction and crisis services, including through first responder training;

  • Funding youth employment, after-school and engagement activities;

  • Supporting outreach programs;

  • Identifying policies and programs to reduce gun violence and deliver human and social services, economic and youth development and public safety measures;

  • Partnering with public, private, nonprofit and community groups;

  • Advocating for local, regional, state and federal groups and legislation that encourage and enforce lawful, responsible and safe gun ownership practices;

  • Researching and using prevention strategies that address underlying physical, social, economic and structural conditions that increase gun homicide and suicide risks.

In addition, the county will partner with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and other justice system partners to make job and life skills and other training available to people incarcerated and leaving the county's corrections centers. It also will help to stabilize the community and the local economy through workforce development and training programs.

Franklin County Commmissioner Kevin Boyce
Franklin County Commmissioner Kevin Boyce

"Given where we are in the new jail and where we are with the mental health relationship components that we've added in, I think that's where our real opportunity is," Commissioner Kevin Boyce said. "There's so many levels to this conversation, but I really believe ours is in that institution that we just spent quite a bit money to build and make a real difference. That's where I think our greatest possibility lies."

The county's new 430,000-square-foot James A. Karnes Correctional Center, which officials dedicated in July, cost $360 million and has 864 beds, with a second phase of the project set to add another 426 beds next year, according to the county. It will replace the county's Downtown jail, which was built in the 1960s.

A look back:Franklin County's new jail has former Sheriff 'Big Jim' Karnes as inspiration

A new county work group — whose membership officials have said will comprise various stakeholders — also will identify specific policies, programs and strategies by:

  • Soliciting community input;

  • Identifying opportunities to support and align with community-led violence prevention and intervention efforts

  • Engaging with other local governments in Franklin County;

  • Consulting with experts to examine best practices for counties;

  • Recommending more opportunities for action, investment, research and evaluation; and

  • Identifying opportunities for investment through the Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs to support nonprofits addressing such issues.

"This is 1,000 times better than the initial resolution … but far more substantive from a standpoint of things that we can actually do to be engaged," Boyce said.

nshuda@dispatch.com

@Nathaniel Shuda

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin County commits to addressing 'scourge' of Ohio gun violence