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Columbus council pushes park-patrol plan; funding amendment routed to midyear budget
Summary
Councilors endorsed a sheriff-run park-patrol concept to increase presence in city parks and protect families, but final budget approval was deferred to the midyear (January) budget process; council asked staff to identify one-time capital and ongoing personnel funding.
The Columbus City Council on Monday heard a plan from the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office to place a concentrated park patrol across the city, an initiative councilors described as a crime-suppression and community-policing effort that would expand visible deputy presence at recreational sites and major events.
Sheriff representatives outlined the program as an initial team of 10 deputies and two supervisors, supported by tethered drones and small off-road vehicles, intended to deter graffiti, drug activity and violent incidents and to provide a rapid law-enforcement response at crowded park events. The sheriff said the unit would perform community engagement, problem-oriented policing and quarterly briefings to council on progress.
"We're looking at 10 deputies and 2 supervisors," the sheriff said, describing the staffing and an annual assessment cadence. Councilors repeatedly cited recent shootings and other violence in parks, including Lakebottom and Shirley B., as the impetus for the proposal.
Councilor Lehi Davis moved to amend the budget to fund the operation and directed the sheriff and finance staff to refine cost estimates and identify funding sources. "I'm gonna make a motion that we amend the budget in the amount that you have stated that's required to run this operation," Davis said.
Council members applauded the collaboration among law-enforcement partners but asked for clarity on funding and timing. City staff advised the council that the midyear budget process in January is the appropriate vehicle to authorize recurring personnel and one-time capital purchases. The city attorney also noted an ordinance change will be needed if the sheriff is to be added to the list of officials authorized to change park hours.
Council did not take a final funding vote; members instead sent the matter to the midyear budget cycle with instructions for finance staff to identify one-time capital sources and ongoing funding for the deputies and equipment. Council will receive a detailed cost package and a midyear budget amendment in early January for formal consideration.
If approved at midyear, the sheriff office said it would phase the unit in, prioritize peak-occupancy hours and provide regular status reports to the council.
What happens next: City finance staff will work with the sheriff to produce a final cost estimate and a midyear budget amendment for council action in January.
