Seth Brown Director of The Office of Crime Prevention Reflects on 15 Years of Service, Looks to the Future

Established in 2009 under the leadership of then-Mayor Jim Wetherington, the Columbus Crime Prevention Board—originally known as the Mayor’s Commission on Crime Prevention—was formed to develop long-term strategies to address crime in the city through proactive, community-based solutions.

Fifteen years later, the board is still quietly investing in programs aimed at transforming lives and neighborhoods—though many residents may not realize the impact.

Launched with a $750,000 budget, the initial vision, as articulated by Mayor Wetherington, was to grow the fund to $2 million. But as the first year drew to a close in 2010 and a mayoral transition loomed, the commission held back from increasing funding. “We weren’t even able to spend the $750,000 effectively at the time,” said longtime program coordinator, noting the lack of evaluative data and the need to vet grassroots organizations.

For 14 years, the budget remained static—until last year, when current Mayor Skip Henderson allocated an additional $250,000 specifically to programs working with severely at-risk individuals and showing measurable outcomes.

Today, the board oversees approximately $1 million in annual funding distributed among more than 40 community-based programs. Many focus on job training, youth development, and mentorship, said Seth Brown Director of the program.

One standout initiative is the Columbus Technical College Skills Program, which provides incarcerated individuals with training in welding, carpentry, forklift operations, and OSHA safety certifications. The program received $135,000 last year and saw 60 participants graduate, including a cohort of welders who were hired immediately upon release. “The demand is so high, there’s a waiting list for graduates,” Brown says.

Other impactful efforts include:

• True Springs Program, which offers job readiness and life skills training for community members. The program maintains an 80% job placement rate and has built strong partnerships with local employers like Mercy Med and the Scarborough family’s businesses.
• Jobs for Life, offered through local churches like Forrest Road Baptist and Victory Mission, provides life skills and workforce readiness for unemployed or underemployed individuals.
• East Carver Soccer Program, which uses sports as a gateway to tutoring, mentoring, and community engagement in one of Columbus’ most underserved areas.
• Clement Arts, a faith-based network that supports foster families through counseling and services, addressing the city’s rising foster care needs.
• Omega Lamplighters, a mentorship initiative for young boys, has grown significantly, with over 50 active participants.

One of the biggest challenges facing the board has been how to define success. While some programs yield clear employment or graduation numbers, others provide essential safe spaces and emotional support for youth—benefits that are harder to quantify.

“You’ll never be able to statistically prove that a child stayed out of trouble because they were part of an after-school program,” said Brown. “But we know it matters.”

To address this, the board is working on a new approach: tailored evaluation tools for each funded program, designed to show both measurable outcomes and intangible impact. Videos, interviews, and storytelling will complement spreadsheets and metrics.

Despite the positive results, engagement from City Council has been inconsistent. “Some members show up, but many haven’t visited these programs,” a board leader noted. “You can’t make informed decisions from a 10,000-foot view. You’ve got to see the neighborhoods, talk to the kids.”

Efforts are now underway to increase visibility—through podcasts, social media, and partnerships with local media like The Courier Eco Latino, which will begin sharing weekly spotlights on funded programs.

Over the years, the board has seen high turnover—partly due to political scrutiny and public criticism. However, leadership believes the current board is among the strongest to date.

Current members include:

• Danny Arencibia (Chair)
• Dr. Michael Forte (Education Representative)
• Sgt. Angela Florence (Police)
• Rocky Marsh (Fort Benning/Military)
• Erica Cottingham, Rick Kelly, and Ralph King (Council Appointees)

"The board’s leadership recognizes the need for more diverse and community-rooted voices. “We need people who understand the lived experiences of those we’re trying to help—not just people looking to add a title to their résumé.”

One key area for growth is collaboration. Too often, programs operate in silos, duplicating services instead of combining efforts. “If two organizations are doing the same thing, they should be encouraged—if not required—to work together,” the coordinator said. “Ten thousand dollars won’t go far alone, but combined resources can change lives.”

To that end, quarterly meetings have begun bringing grantees together for shared learning, and several organizations—like the Phi Beta Sigma Inc. fraternity initiative and the Focus Program—are already finding ways to collaborate without official mandates.

"The Crime Prevention Board may not be flashy, but its work is foundational. It’s not just about fighting crime—it's about fighting hopelessness,"said Seth.