Columbia, South Carolina – The City of Columbia recently celebrated two years since the start of its Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE). This was an important occasion for the city.
The Office of Violent Crime Prevention was first set up in November 2022. It demonstrated that Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann, City Council members, City Manager Teresa Wilson, and other city leaders were all committed to reducing violent crime and making the community a better place to live.
The Office, which was made public in June 2023, was given the job of bringing together all of Columbia’s violence prevention activities. In November 2024, the name changed to the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement to better represent its new goal of fostering both safety and meaningful community involvement. Since then, ONSE has strived to bring citizens, city departments, and community groups closer together.
Dr. Trevon Fordham, appointed as ONSE’s first director, described the initial two years as a period focused on building a solid foundation. “The first two years were all about assessment and setting the foundation for the Office,” Dr. Fordham said.
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Under his guidance, ONSE got three grants worth more than $665,000 to help stop violence and give locals free services. The Office also started the SCORF outreach project to help those who are addicted to opioids, set up violence prevention training sessions, and started the Choose Peace, Create Change initiative to help young people in the area grow in a constructive way.
Mayor Rickenmann highlighted the city’s achievements, pointing out how external funding and community initiatives are making a difference.
“Two years ago, we made a bold commitment to reimagine how we prevent violence in our neighborhoods, and today, we’re seeing that vision take root,” said Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. “We’ve brought in over $665,000 in external resources, equipped dozens of residents through violence prevention training, and started initiatives that connect directly with youth and families. Together, we’ll continue creating safer, more connected neighborhoods across our Capital City.”
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Three main pillars guide ONSE’s holistic approach to public health: Research and Strategic Planning, Training and Development, and Community Engagement and Outreach. These pillars help the Office look at crime trends, provide specialized training, link residents to support services, and develop lasting partnerships across Columbia.
City Manager Teresa Wilson applauded the Office for working toward the City Council’s aim of making communities safer, especially through activities that give young people power and bring neighbors closer together.
Skip Holbrook, the chief of police in Columbia, also stressed the significance of working together. He said that relationships between ONSE and the Columbia Police Department have made the city safer and stronger.
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June’s Gun Violence Awareness Month reminds us of the need for everyone to work together, and the anniversary of ONSE is a reminder of the city’s long-term commitment to stopping violence. The Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement keeps encouraging citizens, community partners, and city leaders to work together for a safer Columbia with its motto, “Prevention starts with engagement; engagement starts with us showing up.”
For more information about ONSE’s programs and initiatives, visit www.ColumbiaSC.gov.
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