In The Know Answering the Call: Recent and Future Investments Improve the Community for All

By Brooke Ebersole

The Gahanna Division of Police plays a critical role in ensuring that Gahanna remains a safe place to live, work and play. Thanks to Issue 12 dollars, the City has been able to invest in the equipment, training, and staffing needed to guarantee that for residents.

One significant investment included the addition of body-worn cameras for Division members in July 2021. This solution also earned the endorsement of the NAACP for its system automation and ultimate transparency. By recording interactions between officers and those they serve, these systems provide a level of oversight and accountability.

“I think elevated transparency when you work with the public is always a good thing,” said Gahanna Police Officer Brian Turner. “These body-worn devices are another way to keep people accountable.”

Later that same year, the Gahanna Division of Police, together with Mifflin Township, celebrated the grand opening of a new Communications Center, which co-located dispatchers for police, fire and EMS. The new Center colocated the City’s 911 center with the Metropolitan Emergency

Communication Center (MECC). It is located at 400 W. Johnstown Rd. and equips dispatchers with state-of-the-art technology that increases our first responders’ ability to save lives.

“The operations of an emergency communications center are very complex, especially with emerging technologies,” said Gahanna Police Chief Jeff Spence. “This co-location allowed us to leverage our fiber infrastructure, our technology investments, and our human capital, to create a regional presence that otherwise is lacking on the east side of Columbus when it comes to emergency communications.”

The passing of Issue 12 also enabled the Division to establish a new position that is specifically focused on engaging with the Gahanna community and strengthening the relationship between the Division and the residents it serves. Created in 2022, the Community Liaison Officer position is dedicated to working directly with residents to identify longer-term needs and connect them with available resources that can provide the help they need.

“As the City and Region began reopening on the heels of the pandemic, it became clear to me that we needed a single point of contact to help address certain issues that did not rise to the level of being criminal in nature,” said Chief Spence. “That is when I approached the Mayor and Council about this need and how it would benefit our residents, business owners and visitors.”

Among the issues identified by Spence were both a rise in homelessness as well as an increased need for mental health assistance. To help address some of those situations, Officer Kelie Moffitt was appointed as the Community Liaison Officer.

“Being the Division’s bridge to our community really allows me to positively impact Gahanna on a daily basis,” Moffitt said. “I know that my work truly makes a difference in the lives of not only those I directly interact with, but this entire community as well.”

In her role, Moffitt serves on the board of Gahanna Residents in Need (GRIN) and participates in various philanthropic organizations within the community. She often visits with young children to discuss what officers do and how they are always there to aid in the event of an emergency. At critical times, Moffitt also provides immediate support to the Division’s other uniformed officers by responding to calls where a resident may benefit from more individualized support.

Recognizing the increasing need for mental health assistance in the community and the increasing challenges in finding supportive resources, the Division is adding a new role in 2023 that will provide further support for residents. While not a traditional law enforcement officer, a Mental Health Clinician will work closely with the Community Liaison Officer, as well as with Mifflin Township’s Community Paramedic, to provide additional mental health resources that supplement the community’s first responders.

“We recognize that there is a gap in providing mental health services to those in Gahanna and beyond,” Spence explained. “As we are true first responders, having a qualified individual with the experience and training to fill that gap and provide such essential services benefits us all.”

In 2025, the Division of Police, along with the Gahanna Senior Center and City Hall, will move to a new facility at 825 Tech Center Drive. Less than 1.5 miles from the City’s current complex, the new location will meet the operational needs of the Division for decades to come.

Chief Spence, who has served the Gahanna community as a member of the Division for more than 30 years, believes that having a modern, state-of-the-art facility for police operations will only add to the Division’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified officers and provide a safe community for Gahanna residents, businesses and visitors.

“The Division’s soon-to-be new home at 825 Tech Center Drive will provide all the tools necessary to expand upon our delivery of public safety services to residents while ensuring that we continue to adhere to and provide best in class policing services in Gahanna,” Spence said.

As always, the Gahanna Division of Police stands ready to serve every member of our community. In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1. The Division’s non-emergency line is (614) 342-4240. For additional resource assistance, Community Liaison Officer Moffitt can be reached at (614) 342-4217.

Residents and anyone interested can also sign up for Smart911, a free service that allows individuals and families to subscribe and provide important information to 9-1-1 call takers during an emergency. For more information, and to create a safety profile, visit Gahanna.gov or Smart911.com.

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