crime & Drugs

For too long, Columbus has lost too many lives, an average of 45 homicides every year for the past four years, victims as young as 14 years. Behind each number is a grieving family, a wounded neighborhood, and a community forced to carry the weight of violence. Millions of dollars of drugs are being found in neighborhoods and sold by teenagers.

literacy

Only 31% of Muscogee County students read on grade level, and children who can’t read by 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of school. These literacy gaps fuel cycles of poverty, crime, and lost opportunity in Columbus, holding back not just our children, but the future of our entire community. When children fall behind in reading, it too often feeds the prison-to-pipeline, where lack of literacy and support leads to higher dropout rates, limited opportunities, and increased risk of incarceration.

homelessness crisis

Homelessness is rising in Columbus. In 2021, 239 people were counted without housing. By 2023, that number grew to 276 people and today the number is over 300, including dozens of children and families. Behind every number is a neighbor, a veteran, a parent, a child. We cannot accept this as normal. When will the city recognize this as a crisis?

"Caring for others is the highest expression of humanity."  Harriet Beecher Stowe

Jail Overcrowding, Mental Health, and Recidivism

Muscogee County faces a critical challenge with jail overcrowding, mental health crises, and high recidivism rates. The jail is overcrowded, with 68% of inmates awaiting trial. Over 300 inmates deal with some form of mental health issue. There is limited staff and limited agencies in the community that can provide direct services for supporting the mental health issues in the jail and upon release. Secondly, barriers such as loss of identification, poor insurance, violent background, job training, reading abilities, and displacement after multiple incarcerations grows the likelihood of recidivism. Sadly, without clear actionable plans these individuals and the service providers that support them will continue to loose.