Capital Crossroads wins Ohio Crime Prevention Association award
April 27, 2004

Columbus : The Ohio Crime Prevention Association (OCPA) recently presented Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District (SID) with its “Out of the Box” award recognizing the SID's efforts of collaboration to reduce and prevent crime in downtown Columbus . The award was presented at the OCPA's annual training conference April 27 in Cincinnati.

The OCPA recognized the unique position and exceptional execution of Capital Crossroads' safety efforts. At the centerpiece are the SID Ambassadors, who, besides working to power-wash sidewalks, remove litter and sweep bus shelters, spend much of their days looking out for visitors and residents Downtown. They connect people in need with social service providers and collaborate with the Columbus Division of Police, in particular the downtown bicycle officers, to discourage criminal acts Downtown.

"Capital Crossroads is such a great model,” says OCPA executive director Marc Rospert. “It makes me want to stay in Central Ohio! You don't have projects like this everywhere. It has a major impact on the community.”

Paul Trautman, SID board of trustees member and chairman of its Clean & Safe committee says, “Winning the award is a validation of the vision that the city and property owners had when they created the SID. Although we know data collected by the SID and the division of police indicate our program is working, we are very pleased to be recognized by the Ohio Crime Prevention Association for what we've accomplished Downtown.”

 

Capital Crossroads was established in 2002 to support the development of a safe, clean, attractive, unique and user-friendly Downtown. As a result, the SID helps to bridge the gap between what property owners need and what the city of Columbus offers. The Clean and Safe program deploys Ambassadors to assure the District's streets are clean; the residents, employees and visitors are safe; and visitors have an additional resource to navigate Downtown. These initiatives are complemented by the SID's promotional activities, which encourage retail shopping, arts enjoyment, recreation and entertainment.

The OCPA believes crime can be prevented. It is committed to the development and advancement of a continuum of educational opportunities in crime prevention and community policing, to ultimately improve the quality of life in Ohio 's communities.

For more information regarding this release, please contact Block by Block at toll free 888-457-2646.