COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) – The City of Columbus has seen an uptick in some crime statistics in recent years.
Through the city’s implementation of the Crime Prevention Board, they’re taking the grassroots approach and getting ahead of the issue.

After months and meetings of discussion the Columbus Crime Prevention Board has awarded $750,000 in grants to various organizations throughout the Community. The focus is investing in our youth.

The Mayor’s Commission on Crime Prevention was started back in 2009. With the financial backing of the city these groups are able to initiate or continue grassroots crime prevention programs. The city has invested in our law enforcement, but there is more to be done.

“It’s not just about enforcement. It’s also about providing resources and providing opportunities for them to get on the right path early before they become, frankly, a burden on the city and the state, but also a wasted opportunity.”

Skip Henderson – Columbus Mayor

This also represents a promise that was made to the community with the passage of the O-LOST or Other Local Option Sales Tax. Mayor Skip Henderson says these 40 organizations are a huge part in making Columbus a better place to live. Over the last year, Crime Prevention funding has directly impacted nearly 7,000 children across our area.

“This is to help these kids stay out of trouble and see what is available out there.”

Judy Thomas – Columbus City Council, District 9 At-Large

The city’s office of Crime Prevention states 85% of youths sitting in prison today grew up in fatherless homes. The Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, backed by Superior Court Judge Gil McBride, started the Legitimation Station. Which was made possible through Crime Prevention Grant Funding.
In the last year Judge McBride legitimized 108 fathers.

“If you take a child, a teenager from age of 13-14 and they become incarcerated, their recidivism rate is somewhere around 50 to 70%, depending on the environment, they continue to go to prison. They spend the rest of their life in jail. That person cost taxpayers $3.5 million dollars over their life. Okay. We’ve only spent a little over $7 million since we’ve been here. I know we’ve saved two kids.”

Seth Brown – Crime Prevention Director

Brown, says many folks have doubted the effectiveness, when it comes to preventing crime. The goal is to get to the root of the problem.

“We had so many people say that this is just a bad idea. It’s not. We cannot keep incarcerating people. We have to educate them.”

Seth Brown – Crime Prevention Director

Organizations have to submit a detailed application, and funding is awarded based on a list of 5 detailed priorities: comprehensive in scope, employ best practices, pursue long-term positive results, and have tangible results capable of being benchmarked.

The following organizations were awarded the following grant funds:

American Youth Arts Society – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a
Local Assistance Grant agreement with American Youth Arts Society for $25,000 in Crime
Prevention Grant funds.

Better Work – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with Better Work for $25,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Boyz 2 Men – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with Boys 2 Men for $25,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Boys and Girls Club – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with Boy and Girls Club for $10,000 in Crime Prevention Grant
funds.
R. Gary Allen Jerry ‘Pops’ Barnes John M. House R. Walker Garrett Judy W. Thomas
Charmaine Crabb Glenn Davis Bruce Huff Toyia Tucker Evelyn ‘Mimi’ Woodson

Building Wellness – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with Building Wellness for $15,000 in Crime Prevention Grant
funds.

Children 1st – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with Children 1st for $10,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Columbus Community Center – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a
Local Assistance grant agreement with Columbus Community Center for $20,000 in Crime
Prevention Grant funds.

Columbus Dream Center – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with Columbus Dream Center for $17,000 in Crime Prevention
Grant funds.

Columbus Museum – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with Columbus Museum for $5,000 in Crime Prevention Grant
funds.

Columbus Scholars – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with Columbus Scholars for $15,000 in Crime Prevention Grant
funds.

Columbus Technical College – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a
Local Assistance grant agreement with CTC for $55,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

CORTA – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance grant
agreement with CORTA for $20,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

CSO – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance grant
agreement with CSO for $5,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

East Carver Soccer – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with East Carver Soccer for $20,000 in Crime Prevention Grant
funds.

Easter Seals – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with Easter Seals for $10,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Flourishing Ladies – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with Flourishing Ladies for $40,000 in Crime Prevention Grant
funds.

Focus Program – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with Focus Program for $30,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Girls Inc. – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance grant
agreement with Girls Inc. for $15,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Hope Harbour – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with Hope Harbour for $13,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Legitimation Station – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with Legitimation Station for $15,000 in Crime Prevention Grant
funds.

Liberty Theatre – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with Liberty Theatre for $15,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Literacy Alliance – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with Literacy Alliance for $20,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Micah’s Promise – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with Micahs Promise for $20,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

New Birth Outreach – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with New Birth Outreach for $20,000 in Crime Prevention Grant
funds.

NFOAAYA – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with NFOAAY for $25,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Omega Lambda – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with Omega Lambda for $20,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Open Door – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with Open Door for $15,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Overflo – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance grant
agreement with Overflo for $25,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Protege Project – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with Protege Project for $10,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Right from the Start – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with Right from the Start for $15,000 in Crime Prevention Grant
funds.

Second Chance Works – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with Second Chance Works for $50,000 in Crime Prevention Grant
funds.

Springer – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance grant
agreement with Springer for $25,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

STEAM – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance grant
agreement with STEAM for $10,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Truth Springs – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with Truth Springs for $25,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Turn Around Columbus – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with Turn Around Columbus for $25,000 in Crime Prevention Grant
funds.

Whole Person/ I am Her – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local
Assistance grant agreement with I am Her for $10,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Whole Person/ Men Act This Way – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into
a Local Assistance grant agreement with Whole Person – Men Act This Way for $15,000 in
Crime Prevention Grant funds.

Young Life – A resolution and contract authorizing a request to enter into a Local Assistance
grant agreement with Young Life for $15,000 in Crime Prevention Grant funds.