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Report: Columbus Anti-Crime Program Viable Despite Pushback
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Columbus police say an annual anti-crime program remains effective despite criticism from protesters following two fatal shootings by officers.
Police released crime statistics for the summer initiative on Wednesday. The figures show 402 arrests, along with 87 firearms and nearly 2 ½ kilograms of heroin seized from late May to early September.
The report says the city’s homicide rate remains relatively unchanged over the past five years. Police say the city’s robbery rate for the summer months increased over the past four years, in part because of the opiate epidemic.
The numbers come as the Columbus City Council’s president has said he’s committed to reevaluating the community safety initiative following calls from demonstrators.
The program deploys more officers during the summer. Most of its $750,000 budget is spent on overtime.