Columbus Office of Violence Prevention

Columbus was recently spotlighted in a report done by the Center for American Progress for their violence prevention and intervention work to reduce gun violence victimization.

Of the 17 cities mentioned, Columbus landed in the top 5, noting a 63.5% decrease in gun violence from 2021 to 2025. The most notable decline occurred following the establishment of the Office of Violence Prevention.

“We are grateful that the impact and necessity of our work are being highlighted. This decline in gun victimization rates in Columbus reflects the dedication of our OVP team and public safety partners, both public and private, despite existing in a state that lacks common-sense gun laws,” said Rena Shak, Director of the Office of Violence Prevention. “While we observe the historic reductions, we remain focused on our pursuit to create and sustain safe neighborhoods by coordinating and facilitating targeted, data-driven violence reduction strategies.”

Read the full report here:
https://ampr.gs/3NPtfI1

What City Leaders Say Is Helping Drive Down Gun Violence in Their Communities Estimates suggest that 2025 marked another historic year of declining gun violence nationwide since the COVID-era surge. Here is what officials from cities seeing the largest declines in gun violence are saying about how they have improved public safety since 2021.

We had the absolute best time with everyone who came out to the skate party last week! We definitely started the weekend off right.

A HUGE thank you to the staff at Skate Zone 71, the Columbus Division of Police, and the Inspector General's Office for tabling and supporting the event.

Congrats to those who tested their luck spinning the wheel for OVP swag items. (We should've brought more hoodies 😅) Keep an eye out for future events and opportunities to engage with us. We'd love to meet you!!

We had such an amazing time at Community for New Directions’ Youth Summit today. Several OVP staff presented on various topics, including trauma informed care.

The conversations spiraled into mature discussions about emotions and conflict resolution in friendships as well as mental health.

A huge thank you to CND for offering this space to us and allowing us the opportunity to engage!!🫶

We're officially 9 days away from the OVP Spring Break Skate Party. 🌻 🛼 We're inviting youth of all ages and adult chaperones to join us on April 10 at Skate Zone 71.

Enjoy FREE admission from 10 am - 12 pm as well as
🛼 skate rental
🍕 pizza and drinks
🕹️ game credits

We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Got questions? Call our office at 614.645.9583.

As Women's History Month comes to a close, we're proud to spotlight Dr. Joanne Lunceford, OVP's Deputy Director! ✨

Dr. Lunceford leads the development and implementation of strategies, special projects, and transformative initiatives alongside Director Shak. Her passion for uniting our phenomenal team inspires everyone to reach their full potential and drive real change in our community. Dr. Lunceford is committed to addressing systemic issues, promoting the value of every human life, and championing meaningful policy improvements for our city, shaping a brighter future for all.

Meet Gabby Freeman, one of our outstanding CVR Interventionists! 👏

As a leader in gun violence intervention, Gabby confidently draws on her experiences to build meaningful connections and deliver exceptional support to those she serves. Her personal journey fuels her understanding, and she is fully committed to creating lasting, positive change in the community. Gabby empowers others by meeting them where they are and inspiring them to see the opportunities ahead.

Meet Zaida Jenkins Hendershot, our talented Data and Policy Coordinator! 📉

Zaida keeps us up to date with the latest trends in violent crime data, helps measure our impact, and supports grants for community organizations. She’s passionate about making data tell powerful stories—using visuals and real experiences to make information meaningful and easy to understand for everyone we work with.

Meet India Duke, our wonderful Communications Coordinator!📸

India handles everything communications, marketing, and branding for OVP—from the website to our social media. Most days, you’ll find her happily behind the camera, capturing special moments of our city leaders and residents together. She loves sharing stories through photos, helping everyone feel connected to our events, whether you’re there in person or not!

We're back for another Skating Party with OVP, this time, for Spring Break! 🌻🛼 We're inviting youth of all ages and adult chaperones to join us on April 10 at Skate Zone 71.

Enjoy FREE admission from 10 am - 12 pm as well as
🛼 skate rental
🍕 pizza and drinks
🕹️ game credits

We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Got questions? Call our office at 614.645.9583.