Ohio State awarded $257,000 in safety grants

Ohio State awarded $257,000 in safety grants

Enhancements planned for Columbus, regional campuses

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced this week that 28 colleges and universities in Ohio will receive a total of $7.5 million in funding for security projects that enhance the safety of students and staff. The Ohio State University will receive $257,000.

"Ohio State is pleased to receive the campus safety grant funding announced by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine," said Monica Moll, Ohio State's associate vice president of the Department of Public Safety. "Our Department of Public Safety works collaboratively with local, state and federal agencies, and these grant funds will help us take important steps in enhancing safety and security at multiple campuses."

Initial plans for the safety grant funding look to address enhancements across the state, including:

• Classroom locks at Ohio State Mansfield and Ohio State Marion
• Automated external defibrillator (AED) replacements at Ohio State Mansfield
• Alarms reporting enhancements (fire/security) at Ohio State Lima and Ohio State Marion
• Additional security cameras at Ohio State's CFAES Wooster campus
• Drones and related equipment for The Ohio State University Police Division in support of the Columbus campus
• Supplies for the Columbus campus 9-1-1 communications center

These plans are subject to change as the university moves forward with budgeting and implementing safety solutions.

According to a press release, the grant awards are part of the fiscal year 2025-26 Campus Safety Grant Program funded with support from the Ohio legislature in House Bill 2 of the 135th General Assembly.

"Ohio remains committed to ensuring our colleges and universities have the resources they need to make their campuses as safe as possible," DeWine said in a press release announcing the funds. "These grants will allow us to continue this important work so students can focus on thriving in their studies, chasing their career goals and reaching their full potential."

The Ohio School Safety Center, a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, reviewed the campus safety grant applications in consultation with the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Beyond the safety grant funds, Ohio State continues to invest in safety and security both on and off campus, specifically in Columbus. In recent years, the university added both fixed and mobile cameras to the off-campus University District area. Ohio State continues to increase its sworn police presence and now has an authorized strength of 75 officers, supplemented by non-sworn security and technology.

The university increased joint patrol from one OSUPD officer to four in recent years - those officers are paired with the Columbus Division of Police to patrol off campus. This program supplements existing CPD patrols, and Ohio State also pays for a crime interdiction program that offers CPD officers overtime for additional patrols on nights and weekends. Non-sworn security, called Buckeye Block Watch, also patrol the off-campus areas every night of the week.

Technology enhancements include added lights, permanent and mobile cameras, and more than 60 license plate reader cameras - both on and off campus - installed since 2021.

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