Safety in downtown Columbus can be as simple as paying attention.
Responding to a string of reported robberies and assaults over recent weeks in the downtown area, Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John says downtown is not a dangerous area, but crime can occur anywhere.
Therefore, St. John is encouraging pedestrians and shoppers to keep their eyes and ears open.
“If you”re going to be out at night and on foot, just be very aware of your surroundings. And there”s something to be said for teaming up, being with partners and not being alone,” said St. John.
On Oct. 3, a victim reported a black male hit him from behind, demanded money, and ran off with a bag containing a laptop computer, in an incident in the 100 block of Sixth Street North.
The most recent downtown incident occurred Saturday night near the Riverhill Chevron at the corner of Third Street North and Second Avenue. A man was struck in the head from behind before his wallet was stolen by three male assailants.
St. John is confident the Saturday incident occurred just as the victim reported it, but he warns that not every crime report corresponds to an actual crime.
“When we get a report, we have to investigate. Sometimes it is what we think happened and sometimes it”s not what we think and so it”s in between,” he said. “A lot of times, people want us to jump on something immediately just (based) on what people are saying.”
Despite a relatively low occurrence of incidents downtown, the CPD has increased patrols in the area as business has picked up.
“We”ve had a real upswing in the amount of people downtown late at night and we have tried to have the additional controls down there. Even with all that said, people have to be mindful of the other stuff and do a little of their own personal safety and awareness,” said St. John. “This isn”t a scary place. It isn”t a bad place. But we live in reality and the reality is we have to be very cautious about our public safety.”
The need for personal diligence will soon increase as the holiday shopping season picks up. As more people take to the city carrying money and items, the opportunity for crime increases.
But the CPD didn”t report a significant surge in crime last holiday season and aren”t anticipating a surge this year.
“I don”t worry that all of the sudden criminals will go ”It”s the holidays, let me steal for my family.” I know it”s a popular belief, but I don”t know that it happens,” said St. John.
Officer Terri Songer, public information officer for the CPD, says criminals are opportunists, so it”s up to individuals to eliminate those opportunities whenever possible.
For shoppers, she encourages traveling in pairs or groups, having keys ready when walking to parked vehicles, and shopping during the day.
Instincts are another important factor. Songer says individuals shouldn”t be shy about calling 911 if they”re uncomfortable.
“If you think someone is following you, don”t just keep walking. Do something. Call 911 if people are loitering. Call and let us check it out,” she said.
The majority of crime, according the CPD, takes place between familiar individuals, but can randomly happen to anyone.
“It isn”t so much that (Columbus is) a dangerous place. We”re not. This is a wonderful place. But we have to deal with the reality that sometimes these things happen,” said St. John.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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