Ohio police initiative to get review in deal with protesters
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus officials will evaluate the effectiveness of a summer police initiative as part of discussions between the city council’s president and demonstrators who have protested two fatal shootings by police in Ohio’s capital city, leaders on each side said Monday.
The announcement comes a week after dozens of protesters packed city council chambers and shouted down Columbus City Council president Zach Klein, bringing the council’s meeting to a halt.
Klein and his fellow council members joined activists Monday afternoon on the steps of City Hall to discuss their talks. He said he’s convinced the police initiative needs to be reevaluated and he’s committed to working with his city council colleagues, the mayor and other leaders to ensure it’s a program that makes the community safer.
“But we can only make the right improvements if we work together,” Klein told demonstrators.