Councilmember and Public Safety Chair Andrew J. Ginther initiated a review and examination of local scrap metal industry practices in early 2007 as a result of the growing number of incidences of scrap metal theft in the community.

One of the most successful neighborhood safety programs is the Community Crime Patrol (CCP), a long-time collaboration between a local non-profit organization using civilian patrollers and the Columbus Police Department. Current neighborhoods with service include the Hilltop, Franklinton, Merion Southwood, the Ohio State University area and several multi-use trails around the City. Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther continue the historic support for this program.

Council President Michael C. Mentel and Councilmembers Andrew J. Ginther and Hearcel F. Craig have been strong advocates for programs that aim to prevent domestic violence, or which give assistance to domestic violence victims. Annually, Columbus police respond to approximately 23,000 domestic violence calls and make approximately 5,000 domestic violence arrests.

Columbus City Council has been fighting to save one of Central Ohios most important natural resources from degradation--the Big Darby Creek Watershed. Designated by the Nature Conservancy as one of the Last Great Places in the Western Hemisphere, encroaching development and storm runoff from farming threatens the rich array of wildlife found in the watershed, including 103 species of fish and 38 species of mussels, at least 104 species of birds, 35 species of mammals, and 33 species of reptiles and amphibians. More than 25 rare or endangered plant species are also dependent upon the corridor areas of the watershed.