City of Columbia celebrates two years of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement

Commemorating Progress During Gun Violence Awareness Month

The City of Columbia celebrate the two-year anniversary of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE), an office originally launched as the Office of Violent Crime Prevention (OVCP). The announcement was made on June 27, 2023 that Dr. Trevon Fordham would lead the Office as its first director. This announcement also signified a renewed and unified commitment to public safety and violence prevention by Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann, City Council members, City Manager Teresa Wilson, and City officials.

Established to centralize efforts to reduce violent crime, the Office was initially formed in November 2022 and officially announced to the public in June 2023. In November 2024, the Office transitioned to its current name, Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, to reflect a broader focus on personal safety, community well-being, and meaningful engagement with all Columbia residents.

“The first two years were all about assessment and setting the foundation for the Office,” said Dr. Trevon Fordham, Director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE). The Office achieved several milestones, but a few highlights include securing three new funding awards totaling $665,370 to address violence and to provide free supportive services for residents, establishing the community-based SCORF outreach project to combat the opioid epidemic, conducting violence prevention trainings, launching the youth-centered Choose Peace, Create Change initiative to promote positive youth development, and most importantly-increasing community engagement. As we move forward, the Office will focus on strategic planning and establishing community-based violence intervention teams across the City of Columbia to promote peace and violence reduction. While we celebrate the progress made over the last two years, the work continues!”

The ONSE continues to lead with a public holistic public health approach grounded in three essential pillars:

• Research and Strategic Planning
• Training and Development
• Community Engagement and Outreach

These pillars guide ONSE’s efforts to develop evidence-based prevention strategies, analyze crime trends, provide specialized training, connect residents to supportive services, and foster sustainable partnerships with community stakeholders. Through this work, ONSE coordinates and strengthens the City’s violence prevention and intervention initiatives.

“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.”

The mission of the ONSE aligns with the City’s broader vision of delivering bold leadership and exemplary services to enhance quality of life. Through strategic coordination with residents, law enforcement, government agencies, service providers, and nonprofits, the Office aims to create safer, more connected neighborhoods across Columbia.

“Mayor Rickenmann’s vision for establishing the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement has evolved very nicely into reality under Dr. Trevon Fordham’s leadership,” said City Manager Teresa Wilson. “The mission of the office directly aligns with one of City Council’s strategic outcomes: Safe Communities. A component of this strategic outcome places emphasis on crime prevention via a focus on positive activities for youth, empowerment of neighborhoods and collaborations with school districts and non-profit organizations. Dr. Fordham and his team work diligently on these exact initiatives every day.”

In recognition of Gun Violence Awareness Month (June), this milestone serves as a reminder of the critical role that community engagement and collective action play in fostering safer environments.

“The Columbia Police Department (CPD) and the ONSE work collaboratively to improve community safety and resilience – building safer communities,” said Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook. “Strong partnerships create greater capacity and opportunities for success.”

As the ONSE moves forward, its guiding motto…

“Prevention starts with engagement; engagement starts with us showing up!”

…continues to inspire residents, partners, and leaders to work hand-in-hand in the pursuit of lasting safety and peace.

Office staff includes Dr. Trevon Fordham-director, Ms. Kimberly Goethe-Program Assistant, and Mrs. Amy Free-Research Analyst.

For more information about the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, visit www.ColumbiaSC.gov.