Columbus, Ohio, is set to introduce a non-police crisis response system after voters approved a charter amendment in May 2026. The system, which will be implemented by 2030, aims to provide alternative responses to non-violent calls, including mental health crises and welfare checks.

Background

The campaign for a non-police crisis response system in Columbus began several years ago, with activists and community leaders pushing for a more compassionate and effective approach to crisis response. Chana Wiley, an activist with the Columbus Safety Collective, said that the goal of the system is to ensure that people feel safe when calling for help for a loved one in crisis.

According to William Cotton, a pediatrician and former president of the Columbus Medical Association, alternative crisis response models have been shown to reduce avoidable emergency department visits, prevent escalation, and improve long-term outcomes. Cotton described such programs as “lifesaving”.

Implementation

The city has allocated $8.8 million for alternative crisis response programs in the 2026 budget, with $1 million going towards the first non-police response. The budget also includes more than $444 million for police, up from the $397 million allocated in 2025.

City Council President Shannon Hardin said that the city will move to unify alternative crisis programs and increase funding to meet the requirements of the charter amendment. Hardin emphasized that the non-police crisis response system is not an anti-police effort, but rather a way to ensure that police have the support they need to do their work effectively.

Original reporting: Matter News (Columbus) — read the source article.