The Council Public Safety & Criminal Justice Committee meeting on December 6, 2024, featured a passionate discussion on police accountability and budget allocations in Columbus. Advocates from the People's Justice Project raised concerns about the significant funding directed toward the Columbus Police Department (CPD) compared to other community resources.

A representative highlighted alarming statistics from a Department of Justice report, revealing over 11,000 untracked use of force complaints in 2022. This lack of transparency was linked to broader issues of accountability within the CPD, particularly regarding the disproportionate impact of police violence on Black residents. The speaker pointed out that since 2013, the CPD has been involved in over 60 fatalities, with only one officer, Adam Coy, facing conviction.

The proposed budget by Mayor Ginter aims to increase the CPD budget by $500 million over five years, raising questions about the city's financial priorities amid claims of budget shortages. Critics argue that this funding model undermines other essential services, particularly as the CPD has an 85% unsolved violent crime rate, leading to a growing sense of insecurity among residents.

The discussion also touched on recent incidents involving police officers facing serious charges, including murder and drug distribution, which further fueled calls for accountability. Advocates emphasized the need for a body camera policy to ensure transparency in cases of police misconduct, noting that their requests for meetings with police leadership have been met with resistance.

Overall, the meeting underscored a critical dialogue about the balance between public safety funding and community accountability, with advocates demanding more responsible oversight of police practices in Columbus.