Community
Safety, Security,
& Effective Justice
Keeping Franklin County residents safe is a top priority for the Board of Commissioners. Nearly two-thirds of the General Fund budget goes toward programs that protect and serve our community, including the Sheriff's Office, county courts, Animal Care and Control, and the county jail.
The commissioners also support smart justice programs that help people in the justice system succeed and build better lives. These programs reduce repeat offenses and help residents move forward, creating a stronger, safer community for everyone. In Franklin County, safety is the floor — not the ceiling.
OFFICE OF JUSTICE POLICY & PROGRAMS (OJPP)
The Office of Justice Policy and Programs (OJPP) is Franklin County's main agency for planning and supporting criminal justice programs. Guided by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the Criminal Justice Planning Board, and the Reentry Advisory Board, OJPP works to make the justice system fairer, more effective, and more efficient. The office helps create programs that prevent crime, support rehabilitation and treatment, and use federal, state, and local resources wisely to keep our community safe.
Additionally, OJPP oversees Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Franklin County, which trains and supports volunteers to serve as independent voices for children in abuse and neglect cases. CASA volunteers provide objective recommendations to the court that promote safety, permanency, and well-being. By staying closely involved and monitoring each case, CASA helps ensure children have a stronger chance at safe, stable, and loving homes.
9,957
Residents served through Rapid Resource Centers (2025)
293
Individuals in Pathways to Healthy Living programs
528
Individuals inducted on MAT treatment
753
Emergency bed nights provided through BRIDGE Respite
82
Sub-recipient awards from OJPP grant portfolio
6
Co-located sites across Franklin County (OJPP & CASA)
The Tap in Center
The Tap In Center, supported by over 10 agency partners, continues to be a vital resource for residents seeking assistance with non-violent misdemeanor warrants through recall and rescheduling services. This year, in response to community needs, record sealing and expungement services were added, significantly expanding the Center's impact. Since its launch, the Tap In Center has successfully recalled 192 outstanding warrants and served 399 residents — removing real barriers to justice and promoting second chances across Franklin County.
FRANKLIN COUNTY DOG SHELTER & ADOPTION CENTER
Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center serves the residents of Franklin County, Ohio, by providing high-quality care, protection, and second chances for thousands of dogs each year. As the county's only 24-hour, open-admission dog shelter, we accept all stray, lost, and abandoned dogs, ensuring every dog has a safe place to go.
Our team works to reunite lost dogs with their families, facilitate adoptions into loving homes, and support responsible pet ownership through licensing, education, and community outreach.
2,953
Dogs adopted in 2025
1,558
Dogs returned to owners
138
Dogs in December Holiday Sleepover (43% adopted)
Emergency Boarding Program
Our Emergency Boarding Program exists to keep pets safe and families together during times of crisis. Whether someone is facing eviction, hospitalization, domestic violence, or another unexpected hardship, we provide temporary, compassionate care so their animals do not have to enter the shelter system permanently. This program is about dignity, prevention, and protecting the human-animal bond when it matters most.
FRANKLIN COUNTY CORONER'S OFFICE
The Franklin County Coroner's Office continues to grow as a trusted public health and safety partner, strengthening its impact across the community. In 2025, the office investigated 2,503 cases, providing critical information that helps law enforcement, prosecutors, and public health leaders understand causes of death and respond effectively.
Beyond its statutory responsibility to determine cause and manner of death, the Coroner's Office is deeply committed to prevention, using data, collaboration, and innovation to reduce unnecessary deaths and improve overall well-being. These efforts are contributing to encouraging trends, including decreases in both homicides and overdose deaths, helping make Franklin County safer and healthier for all residents.
FRANKLIN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
Since 1919, Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) has played a vital role in protecting and improving the health of residents across Franklin County. As one of the largest general health districts in Ohio, FCPH serves more than 1.3 million people living in 17 townships, 9 villages, and 14 cities throughout Central Ohio.
Guided by its mission to prevent disease, promote healthy living, and protect against public health threats, FCPH focuses on improving the conditions where people live, work, and play. Through collaboration with state and county agencies, health systems, community organizations, and academic institutions, FCPH works to strengthen prevention strategies, expand access to care, and ensure residents have the resources they need to thrive.
Substance Use Prevention
19,000+
naloxone kits distributed
17,000+
fentanyl test strips distributed
5,000+
community members trained to administer naloxone
19,000+
naloxone kits distributed
Overdose prevention education series delivered at the James A. Karnes Corrections Center, continuing in 2026
Community Preparedness
and Safety
1,000+
emergency preparedness kits distributed
400
harm-reduction supplies distributed
1,260+
residents engaged through outreach and education events
Care Coordination
and Housing Stability
7,994
Community Health Worker pathways initiated; over 90% completed, including social service and medical referrals
58
adults
103
children
41
families
in temporary housing
23
adults
35
children
securing permanant housing
FRANKLIN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & HOMELAND SECURITY
Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEM&HS) works with all 43 jurisdictions in Franklin County to enhance community safety, preparedness, and resilience. As an all-hazards agency, it plans for, mitigates, responds to, and supports recovery from natural, technological, and human-caused emergencies.
FCEM&HS ensures residents receive timely and accurate information during incidents, empowering them to take protective actions and make informed decisions. Through community outreach and education, the agency helps individuals and households build preparedness plans, protect their families and property, and navigate emergencies effectively.
FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office plays a central role in protecting life and property, enforcing the law, and maintaining public safety across the county. Through patrol services, emergency response, investigations, traffic enforcement, and crime prevention efforts, the Office works to ensure that residents and visitors feel safe and supported.
In 2025, the Patrol Division led several targeted enforcement operations in high-need areas, focusing on crime reduction, drug rehabilitation outreach, shoplifting, and speeding. Working collaboratively with internal units and regional law enforcement partners, coordinated efforts under initiatives like Operation Unity, Operation Bridge, and Operation Hot Hands were designed to improve quality of life and enhance safety for all who live and work in Franklin County.
