Access To Justice Community Outreach Event

Posted on 9/27/2022

Defendant:

“The Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office helped coordinate, with the help of some 10 federal, state and local agencies, a first of its kind forum to promote public safety and well- being on 9.22.22.
 
One where the participating agencies could compare notes and see what other govt. agencies were doing to improve how we serve the needs of our diverse communities .
 
This open to the public forum was about providing help on a range of need areas from reducing gun violence to helping residents in crisis with job placement; housing; and, food insecurity.
 
This forum provided for the agency participants to exchange information and see first- hand how a multi-pronged-multi-agency approach to reducing crime & gun violence can work.

https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2022/09/22/first-annual-access-to-justice-event
 
The forum’s holistic approach to reducing gun violence and improving community public health & safety is somewhat unique. It’s focus among helping all residents, brought attention to how important helping vulnerable young people and those struggling to find their footing, stay out of the criminal justice system.
 
The “Access to Justice” forum provided a blue print for piggy backing a version of the 9.22.22 forum & Event onto future larger public gatherings where county residents can obtain help and good information on:
  
1. How  jury duty, the criminal and civil justice systems  work in the county with  in-person Franklin County Common Pleas  Judges  present for “Ask a Judge”- thank-you Judge Michael Holbrook; Judge Jaiza Page; and Judge Stephen McIntosh.
 
2. Ohio’s new gun carry law eff. 6.13.22; gun safety; therapy dogs in action; and, safe interactions with police instruction provided by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office with the US DOJ’s Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) staff .
 
3. Assistance with housing, job and meeting food needs provided by the Franklin County  Jobs & Family Services & the Mid-Ohio Food Collective  who also provided fresh produce later donated to the local Worthington and Karl Road food banks.
 
4. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles had staff ready to assist on driver license reinstatements; REAL ID and any other BMV issues along with the Franklin County Board of Elections which offered voter registration and hosted the Event at their Offices at 1700 Morse Rd.
 
5. The Columbus Fire Division Paramedics were on hand to provide life saving first aid and trauma would care with Narcan kits and fentanyl test strips.
 
6. The Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office and the Office of Justice Policy & Programs were on hand  to assist and provide information on Drug Court Treatment options; and,  low level non-violent felony Diversion services both designed to divert people out of the criminal justice system & incarceration.
 
7. The Columbus Police Division and the FC Sheriff had recruiting and community outreach officers and cadets on hand for those interested in a career in law enforcement or as support staff. The FC Sheriff and Columbus Police therapy dogs were likely one of the highlights of the 9.22.22 Event.”