Columbus

Top Issues

“You’ve got to be protective of your child and keep them inside. You can’t let them go out and play because the neighborhood is so violent.”

– Black, Middle-Aged, Male Resident of Columbus
In our conversations with Columbus residents, we identified three predominant concerns: crime, infrastructure, and access to childcare/community services. These issues resonate deeply within the community, shaping discussions, policies, and the impact each has to residents ' everyday lives.

Crime

Safety is paramount for residents of Columbus. From petty thefts to gun violence, the spectrum of criminal activity casts a shadow over the community’s sense of security. Many residents felt that violence in their community has gone unaddressed for too long, especially from local politicians who often campaign to fix the issue without taking concrete steps in office to lower gun violence rates.

Infrastructure

While infrastructure can mean many things—traffic, aging roads, and the lack of public transportation—the residents of Columbus are more concerned about the loss of businesses and the degradation of Columbus’ historic downtown space. Residents stated they are now facing food deserts and inadequate urban planning. Building more livable and high-quality neighborhoods is key to this community.

Community Services

For families in Columbus, access to quality childcare and essential community services is more than just a convenience – it’s a necessity. Panelists spoke about the lack of childcare options and afterschool programs that, when combined with violent crime, leave many parents worried about their child’s wellbeing. Parents are looking for positive and affordable community services to ensure kids’ safety in their community. In addition, a lack of and growing need for services for individuals experiencing homelessness has become an issue in Columbus.

Media Consumption

“The news is all negative. I think we need to hear more about the organizations that are out there making a difference in the community.”

–Black, Female, Senior Resident of Columbus
Like many across the country, folks from Columbus have lost a lot of faith in national news outlets. In our discussions, many participants mentioned that cable and other major news networks don’t present balanced news coverage and fail to focus on the issues that matter most to their community, like events, community services and resources, reports of gun violence, and missing persons. Participants also worried that major news networks used emotional and fear-based messaging to distract people from the positive work being done in the community. Overall, participants expressed that they are turning to other media alternatives to get their daily news.

Facebook

As the virtual town square, Facebook is often a nexus for community engagement, discourse, and connection. Participants agreed that Facebook was the best place to go when looking for information about crime and gun violence in their neighborhood, and many had even learned about crime affecting family members directly on Facebook.

Local News Stations

For many residents of Columbus, tuning in to local news stations is one of the only ways to learn what’s happening in their community. Panelists felt that local news stations serve as trusted sources of information, unlike national news outlets, whose motives seem murkier. Local news also raises awareness about city politics and local events, helping foster a sense of connection in the city.

News Apps/Push Notifications

Instead of more traditional mediums like TV News and syndicated publications, most people – especially younger participants – mentioned using news apps as a reliable form of national news consumption. According to our panelists, many keep an eye on push notifications from apps like Google News. When an article on an interesting topic or with a catchy headline pops up, they read the article and occasionally conduct further research on the topic. Participants seemed split on whether news articles or videos were the most engaging types of news content.

“Who could be [watching the news] at 6 o’clock? In the real world, if you’re working, you don’t always have the time to watch the news.”
–Black, Female, Middle-Age Resident of Columbus
“I tend to stick to the headlines. I know what the biases of the major sources are and don’t need to click on the article.”
–White, Male, Young-Adult Resident of Columbus
“Wherever you are is where you have to make an impact. You can't go to everybody's neighborhood. You have to be where you are. Whatever needs you see, you should address.”
–Female, Black, Senior Resident of Columbus
“You got to be protective of your child and keep them inside when you go to work. You can't let them go out and play… because the neighborhood is so violent.”
–Male, Black, Middle-Age Resident of Columbus
“It’s hard to trust [politicians] when you don’t know their motives or intentions.”
–Female, Black, Young-Adult Resident of Columbus
“The only reason I’d know who’s on the ballot is because of the signs people hang in front of their houses.”
–Male, Young-Adult of Resident of Columbus

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