Westerville Police
DEBUTS New site
While work is underway to build The Justice Center, the Westerville Division of Police’s (WPD) new home at 229 Huber Village Blvd., the City worked to build an improved and more expansive digital hub. A smaller site within the main Westerville website, the WPD space is similar to designated digital spaces for Parks and Recreation and Economic Development. The project was paid for through credits earned from existing website projects and maintenance. “We see this digital space as an opportunity to increase transparency and better serve the community,” said WPD Chief Charles Chandler. “We’re making it easier to connect with WPD in a meaningful way.” The website makes it easier for visitors to find the information they need, with a Google-powered search function, Service Directory and attractive, user-friendly design. “WPD operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This is an extension of customer service. Residents can visit our website 24/7 and quickly find what they need, whether they are requesting a service, looking to pay a parking ticket or file a report, or if they simply want to learn more about WPD initiatives,” Chief Chandler said. Explore the WPD website today at www.westerville.org/police.
WPD PARTICIPATES IN “OPERATION 614”
MULTI-AGENCY PARTNERSHIP LEADS TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING ARRESTS In mid-April, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced a multi-agency operation was carried out in Columbus and surrounding suburbs targeted on human trafficking. The Westerville Division of Police (WPD) was one of 20 participating law enforcement agencies involved in addressing issues that fuel sex trafficking in Central Ohio. Coordinated through AG Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, “Operation 614” led to the identification of 53 victims and the arrests of 93 arrest trafficking suspects. “Operation 614 is the latest in a long series of efforts to push back against human trafficking in Ohio,” said Yost. “I am so proud of our law enforcement partners, who with their boots on the ground made this operation a success. We all look forward to that day when no person is bought or sold for sex in Ohio.” The operation included identifying victims of human trafficking and referring them to social services and apprehending those seeking to have sex with a minor and/or seeking to buy sex. For the first time in Ohio, those seeking to purchase sex were charged with engaging in prostitution, a misdemeanor of the first degree. This charge was created under House Bill 431, which became effective in April. Under the new law, an offender will be required to attend an education or treatment program aimed at preventing a person from inducing, enticing or procuring another to engage in sexual activity for hire.
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During the operation, the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and police departments from Columbus, Dublin, New Albany and Westerville worked collaboratively to identify victims of human trafficking. Victims were linked with advocates and social services provided by the Salvation Army. “We support all efforts to end the problem of human trafficking. Human trafficking and prostitution are crimes that impact individuals but also the community as a whole. We are committed to doing everything possible to rescue victims in these cases and provide resources for their recovery,” said WPD Chief Charles Chandler. “We won’t stop working to identify the people who force them into these situations and hold them accountable for their actions.” The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office’s Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) targeted and apprehended those seeking to engage in sexual activity with minors. Since its inception, WPD has appointed a full-time investigator to the ICAC Task Force. Chief Chandler said the community learned first-hand that human trafficking exists everywhere, including suburban communities, when WPD made arrests in 2018 after months of investigating local massage establishments. “WPD has been on the front lines of combating human trafficking, and we’ll continue to be involved in any investigation we can to help minimize the dangers of these crimes and the lives it destroys.”
WESTERVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT • (614) 901-6500 • www.wester ville.org
