PLEASE MAKE OSU STUDENT SAFETY A PRIORITY!!
PLEASE MAKE OSU STUDENT SAFETY A PRIORITY!!
The Issue
Dear Mr. Heminger, Ms. Wexner, Ms. Krueger, Mr.Porteus, Ms. Hoeflinger, Mr.Fischer, Mr. Fujita, Mr. Stockmeister, Mr. Zeiger, Attorney Kessler, Mr. Von Thaer, Mr.Kaplan, Mr. Kiggin, Ms. Harsh, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr.Shah, Ms. Sobol and Mr. Klingbeil,
In the early morning hours of October 11, Chase Meola was brutally shot, in his head execution style, in the parking lot of his home at OSU. In the early morning hours of February 28, 2021, criminals returned once again to this same OSU home, breaking into it, and not only stealing property while the students slept, but also any peace of mind that remained with his friends, roommates and their families.
Chase's murder followed on the heels of an OSU football player being shot in the face on August 30, 2020, and THREE OSU students being stabbed on September 23, 2020. In response to the senseless murder of Chase Meola, and parent’s outcries to make the University area safe for students, you convened The Ohio State Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being who shared their safety recommendations on November 18, 2020. While Ohio State's police division currently has one officer dedicated to joint patrol with a Columbus police officer in the University District, the task force recommended increasing that staffing to allow for joint patrolling 24 hours a day. However, OSU acknowledged that increased patrols are necessary but have delayed implementation until 2022-2024. https://ap.osu.edu/sites/default/files/taskforcerecommendations.pdf
We have had numerous meetings with prominent members of the Safety Task Force, so we are aware the OSUPD and CPD are actively recruiting to fill the void left from retirements and resignations. We’ve been informed it is a lack of applicants, not a lack of funding. We’ve heard CCP funding has been reinstated, although they have the same staffing issues as they can’t even get people to come interview. We’ve heard everyone has full support from the OSU Administration. Lastly, we acknowledge the Safety Task Force has worked hard to implement several changes and improvements. We applaud and appreciate all of these efforts but, unfortunately, none of this has provided the safe environment we demand immediately for our students. We fully understand the logistics of the short and long term goals where it’s been explained it takes time to implement, but we don’t have the time to wait. Violent crime and gun violence continues to erupt in the University District, and below it’s evident that criminals believe it is open season on OSU students:
On January 14, 2021 at approximately 10pm, Columbus Police responded to an off-campus robbery report. An Ohio State female student was with a group of friends at N. 4th Street and E. 14th Avenue when three unknown juveniles approached and asked for money. When the student reached into her purse to offer them money, one suspect pepper sprayed her and then struck her in the face. The suspects attempted to steal the student’s purse, but were unsuccessful, before fleeing the area in a nearby vehicle.
On January 21, 2021 at approximately 3am, two suspects entered a home through an unlocked window on E. 13th Ave. (between N. High St. & Indianola Ave. and stole victim’s car keys and vehicle.
On January 29, 2021 at approximately 7:15pm, a male Ohio State student was carjacked. As he was getting out of his car, two individuals approached him, one pulled a gun on him, and they threw the student’s backpack to the ground before stealing his car.
On January 30, 2021, at approximately 5:55 am, while OSU students WERE IN THEIR HOME at the Delta Sigma Pi house, criminals entered and burglarized their home.
On February 7, 2021 United Dairy Farmers was robbed at gun point at 5:37am.
On February 8, 2021 at 8am, a young woman was pistol whipped near 15th and Indianola. This area is right in the Center of the Greek life housing.
On February 17, 2021 at 7:25 am, an Ohio State female student was walking off-campus, along E 13th Avenue, when an unknown male approached and asked her for money. When she turned to walk away the suspect grabbed her, groped her, and sprayed her with an unknown substance that the student described as possibly being mace.
On February 23, 2021 at approximately 11:50pm near 19** Summit St, male victim was sitting in his car when startled by two suspects who approached the vehicle. One of the suspects said he had a gun and told victim that he had five seconds to exit the vehicle or suspect would kill victim. suspects stole vehicle as well as victim’s wallet.
On February 27, 2021 at 3am, Buckeye Donuts was robbed at gunpoint. This is their third armed robbery in less than a year.
On February 28, 2021, While students slept at the home where Chase Meola once lived before his brutal murder, suspect(s) entered by unknown means and stole personal property.
On March 1, 2021, in two separate incidences, two male Ohio State students were robbed; one in his own front yard near 16th and Indianola. The criminals took their phones, wallets, dignity and sense of security.
On March 1, 2021, another burglary at the home of OSU students while they slept. Once again stealing property and their sense of security.
On March 15, 2021, another burglary at the home of OSU students who came home to find a broken window and a ransacked home.
On March 15, 2021, unknown criminals forcefully entered through the back door of OSU student home while he was asleep.
On March 18, 2021, unknown criminal first knocked on the front door of a female OSU student before breaking in through a lower level window, the female student stated that criminal was then seen in the kitchen and was told to leave and did but left his cellphone behind. He later returned asking for his cellphone.
On March 19, 2021 at 9:33 pm, a criminal brandished a knife telling a Target security officer he would stab him and was not afraid to kill him. This Target is on high street adjacent to campus.
On March 20, 2021 shortly before 7 am, a criminal threatened to stab a UDF employee while stealing from the store.
On March 21, 2021 a female OSU student was shot at by someone driving by firing a pellet gun.
On April 7, 2021, a criminal leaving the Kroger store with stolen goods raised a hammer and threated to bash the store employee’s head.
On April 9, 2021, during the commission of a robbery a criminal pulled a gun on a UDF employee at approximately 2 pm in the afternoon.
On April 11, 2021 an OSU student’s home was burglarized while he slept.
On April 13, 2021, an unknown male criminal entered a female OSU student’s home at 3 am.
On April 15, 2021, another robbery at UDF at roughly 10:30 am.
On April 17, 2021 7 vehicles flipped over and destroyed or seriously vandalized.
On April 20, 2021 multiple gunshots were reported around the 200 block of E. 15th Ave. The victim was found at 288 E 14th Ave and later died from multiple gunshot wounds.
On April 23, 2021 at approximately 1 am, an OSU student’s home was burglarized.
On April 23, 2021 at approximately noon an OSU student was out jogging on Luka Ave when he was tackled by unknown criminals who took his cell phone.
On April 23, 2021 a male OSU student was robbed by 3 criminals who told him to give them everything he had. This occurred at approximately 12:30 pm at 288 E 15th Ave.
On April 23, 2021, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a female OSU student was robbed and carjacked near W. 9th Avenue and High Street.
This by no means is an inclusive list of all the crimes reported in the University District; it’s only some of the crimes we’ve received alerts or notices about since the Spring Semester. As for motor theft and carjackings, we have lost count of the reports of Student cars that have been stolen; many out of their driveways.
The three physical attacks on OSU students on April 23, 2021 follows a day where an OSU professor Pranav Jani placed on his twitter page, on April 21, 2021
Sever ties with CPD. April 21st 2 pm. Ohio Union Facing South Oval. Wear a mask . The Columbus Police Division Murdered 16 yo Ma’khia Bryant. Demand Ohio State Stop Legitimzing This Murdereous Institution and Sever Ties Immediately.
On April 23, 2021, Professor Jani tweeted a link to a petition which states “Over the past year, the Columbus Police Department has routinely shown their inability to safely deescalate situations. The recent killing of Ma'Khia Bryant only further demonstrates the negligence and unsafe nature of CPD. This petition is written in support of OSU abolishing all ties with CPD, including campus security, security for sporting events, and any funding OSU awards to CPD.”
While we appreciate and recognize academic freedom, we vehemently disagree with Professor Jani and his call for OSU to sever ties with Columbus PD. We believe his rhetoric is inflammatory and endangers the safety and wellbeing of OSU students. While tweeting for the abolition of Columbus PD, Professor Jani has not tweeted anything about what can be done to address the multiple home invasions, armed robberies, and assaults of students.
Moreover, the OSU Safety Task Force has told us on multiple occasions that crime is decreasing. However, our alerts, notices, the news, and our perceived reality makes us feel differently. Until OSUPD and CPD is staffed to accommodate the 24/7 police presence recommended by the Safety Task Force, OSU must explore other supplemental options that will provide immediate, adequate and effective patrolling for our vulnerable students in the University District - pay overtime for increased patrols, ask for the assistance of the Ohio State Police, partner with the governing body of the University District to subsidize private security companies to patrol the area, and partner with businesses along High St. and Lane to subsidize additional security where students frequent. There must be a visually obvious and consistent security presence in these areas.
Our students are your students, and they deserve to feel safe and protected by you and the University, but unfortunately they don’t. Instead, they feel terrified and helpless. This fear on top of all the stress and anxiety produced by Covid restrictions is more than any student or parent should be subjected to during their college experience.
We have exhausted all avenues in pursuit of expediting efforts to provide immediate and effective security. From day one after Chase Meola’s murder, parents, students, alumni, and community members have joined forces to be a part of the solution. With a petition of over 10,000 supportive signatures, we demand urgency in providing a safer environment on and near campus. This will require swift action, supplemental resources and creative solutions. The well-being of our students is at stake, and they feel you’re not caring for their most basic needs: safety and security. Please make immediate implementation of all the safety task force recommendations, including better lighting and a 24/7 joint patrol your highest priority before another tragedy is at your doorstep as it surely will be given the rate we are going.
Buckeyes for a Safe Ohio State
8,201
The Issue
Dear Mr. Heminger, Ms. Wexner, Ms. Krueger, Mr.Porteus, Ms. Hoeflinger, Mr.Fischer, Mr. Fujita, Mr. Stockmeister, Mr. Zeiger, Attorney Kessler, Mr. Von Thaer, Mr.Kaplan, Mr. Kiggin, Ms. Harsh, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr.Shah, Ms. Sobol and Mr. Klingbeil,
In the early morning hours of October 11, Chase Meola was brutally shot, in his head execution style, in the parking lot of his home at OSU. In the early morning hours of February 28, 2021, criminals returned once again to this same OSU home, breaking into it, and not only stealing property while the students slept, but also any peace of mind that remained with his friends, roommates and their families.
Chase's murder followed on the heels of an OSU football player being shot in the face on August 30, 2020, and THREE OSU students being stabbed on September 23, 2020. In response to the senseless murder of Chase Meola, and parent’s outcries to make the University area safe for students, you convened The Ohio State Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being who shared their safety recommendations on November 18, 2020. While Ohio State's police division currently has one officer dedicated to joint patrol with a Columbus police officer in the University District, the task force recommended increasing that staffing to allow for joint patrolling 24 hours a day. However, OSU acknowledged that increased patrols are necessary but have delayed implementation until 2022-2024. https://ap.osu.edu/sites/default/files/taskforcerecommendations.pdf
We have had numerous meetings with prominent members of the Safety Task Force, so we are aware the OSUPD and CPD are actively recruiting to fill the void left from retirements and resignations. We’ve been informed it is a lack of applicants, not a lack of funding. We’ve heard CCP funding has been reinstated, although they have the same staffing issues as they can’t even get people to come interview. We’ve heard everyone has full support from the OSU Administration. Lastly, we acknowledge the Safety Task Force has worked hard to implement several changes and improvements. We applaud and appreciate all of these efforts but, unfortunately, none of this has provided the safe environment we demand immediately for our students. We fully understand the logistics of the short and long term goals where it’s been explained it takes time to implement, but we don’t have the time to wait. Violent crime and gun violence continues to erupt in the University District, and below it’s evident that criminals believe it is open season on OSU students:
On January 14, 2021 at approximately 10pm, Columbus Police responded to an off-campus robbery report. An Ohio State female student was with a group of friends at N. 4th Street and E. 14th Avenue when three unknown juveniles approached and asked for money. When the student reached into her purse to offer them money, one suspect pepper sprayed her and then struck her in the face. The suspects attempted to steal the student’s purse, but were unsuccessful, before fleeing the area in a nearby vehicle.
On January 21, 2021 at approximately 3am, two suspects entered a home through an unlocked window on E. 13th Ave. (between N. High St. & Indianola Ave. and stole victim’s car keys and vehicle.
On January 29, 2021 at approximately 7:15pm, a male Ohio State student was carjacked. As he was getting out of his car, two individuals approached him, one pulled a gun on him, and they threw the student’s backpack to the ground before stealing his car.
On January 30, 2021, at approximately 5:55 am, while OSU students WERE IN THEIR HOME at the Delta Sigma Pi house, criminals entered and burglarized their home.
On February 7, 2021 United Dairy Farmers was robbed at gun point at 5:37am.
On February 8, 2021 at 8am, a young woman was pistol whipped near 15th and Indianola. This area is right in the Center of the Greek life housing.
On February 17, 2021 at 7:25 am, an Ohio State female student was walking off-campus, along E 13th Avenue, when an unknown male approached and asked her for money. When she turned to walk away the suspect grabbed her, groped her, and sprayed her with an unknown substance that the student described as possibly being mace.
On February 23, 2021 at approximately 11:50pm near 19** Summit St, male victim was sitting in his car when startled by two suspects who approached the vehicle. One of the suspects said he had a gun and told victim that he had five seconds to exit the vehicle or suspect would kill victim. suspects stole vehicle as well as victim’s wallet.
On February 27, 2021 at 3am, Buckeye Donuts was robbed at gunpoint. This is their third armed robbery in less than a year.
On February 28, 2021, While students slept at the home where Chase Meola once lived before his brutal murder, suspect(s) entered by unknown means and stole personal property.
On March 1, 2021, in two separate incidences, two male Ohio State students were robbed; one in his own front yard near 16th and Indianola. The criminals took their phones, wallets, dignity and sense of security.
On March 1, 2021, another burglary at the home of OSU students while they slept. Once again stealing property and their sense of security.
On March 15, 2021, another burglary at the home of OSU students who came home to find a broken window and a ransacked home.
On March 15, 2021, unknown criminals forcefully entered through the back door of OSU student home while he was asleep.
On March 18, 2021, unknown criminal first knocked on the front door of a female OSU student before breaking in through a lower level window, the female student stated that criminal was then seen in the kitchen and was told to leave and did but left his cellphone behind. He later returned asking for his cellphone.
On March 19, 2021 at 9:33 pm, a criminal brandished a knife telling a Target security officer he would stab him and was not afraid to kill him. This Target is on high street adjacent to campus.
On March 20, 2021 shortly before 7 am, a criminal threatened to stab a UDF employee while stealing from the store.
On March 21, 2021 a female OSU student was shot at by someone driving by firing a pellet gun.
On April 7, 2021, a criminal leaving the Kroger store with stolen goods raised a hammer and threated to bash the store employee’s head.
On April 9, 2021, during the commission of a robbery a criminal pulled a gun on a UDF employee at approximately 2 pm in the afternoon.
On April 11, 2021 an OSU student’s home was burglarized while he slept.
On April 13, 2021, an unknown male criminal entered a female OSU student’s home at 3 am.
On April 15, 2021, another robbery at UDF at roughly 10:30 am.
On April 17, 2021 7 vehicles flipped over and destroyed or seriously vandalized.
On April 20, 2021 multiple gunshots were reported around the 200 block of E. 15th Ave. The victim was found at 288 E 14th Ave and later died from multiple gunshot wounds.
On April 23, 2021 at approximately 1 am, an OSU student’s home was burglarized.
On April 23, 2021 at approximately noon an OSU student was out jogging on Luka Ave when he was tackled by unknown criminals who took his cell phone.
On April 23, 2021 a male OSU student was robbed by 3 criminals who told him to give them everything he had. This occurred at approximately 12:30 pm at 288 E 15th Ave.
On April 23, 2021, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a female OSU student was robbed and carjacked near W. 9th Avenue and High Street.
This by no means is an inclusive list of all the crimes reported in the University District; it’s only some of the crimes we’ve received alerts or notices about since the Spring Semester. As for motor theft and carjackings, we have lost count of the reports of Student cars that have been stolen; many out of their driveways.
The three physical attacks on OSU students on April 23, 2021 follows a day where an OSU professor Pranav Jani placed on his twitter page, on April 21, 2021
Sever ties with CPD. April 21st 2 pm. Ohio Union Facing South Oval. Wear a mask . The Columbus Police Division Murdered 16 yo Ma’khia Bryant. Demand Ohio State Stop Legitimzing This Murdereous Institution and Sever Ties Immediately.
On April 23, 2021, Professor Jani tweeted a link to a petition which states “Over the past year, the Columbus Police Department has routinely shown their inability to safely deescalate situations. The recent killing of Ma'Khia Bryant only further demonstrates the negligence and unsafe nature of CPD. This petition is written in support of OSU abolishing all ties with CPD, including campus security, security for sporting events, and any funding OSU awards to CPD.”
While we appreciate and recognize academic freedom, we vehemently disagree with Professor Jani and his call for OSU to sever ties with Columbus PD. We believe his rhetoric is inflammatory and endangers the safety and wellbeing of OSU students. While tweeting for the abolition of Columbus PD, Professor Jani has not tweeted anything about what can be done to address the multiple home invasions, armed robberies, and assaults of students.
Moreover, the OSU Safety Task Force has told us on multiple occasions that crime is decreasing. However, our alerts, notices, the news, and our perceived reality makes us feel differently. Until OSUPD and CPD is staffed to accommodate the 24/7 police presence recommended by the Safety Task Force, OSU must explore other supplemental options that will provide immediate, adequate and effective patrolling for our vulnerable students in the University District - pay overtime for increased patrols, ask for the assistance of the Ohio State Police, partner with the governing body of the University District to subsidize private security companies to patrol the area, and partner with businesses along High St. and Lane to subsidize additional security where students frequent. There must be a visually obvious and consistent security presence in these areas.
Our students are your students, and they deserve to feel safe and protected by you and the University, but unfortunately they don’t. Instead, they feel terrified and helpless. This fear on top of all the stress and anxiety produced by Covid restrictions is more than any student or parent should be subjected to during their college experience.
We have exhausted all avenues in pursuit of expediting efforts to provide immediate and effective security. From day one after Chase Meola’s murder, parents, students, alumni, and community members have joined forces to be a part of the solution. With a petition of over 10,000 supportive signatures, we demand urgency in providing a safer environment on and near campus. This will require swift action, supplemental resources and creative solutions. The well-being of our students is at stake, and they feel you’re not caring for their most basic needs: safety and security. Please make immediate implementation of all the safety task force recommendations, including better lighting and a 24/7 joint patrol your highest priority before another tragedy is at your doorstep as it surely will be given the rate we are going.
Buckeyes for a Safe Ohio State
8,201
The Decision Makers
Petition created on April 26, 2021