ABC6: Columbus Police urge community involvement to lower murder rate

The number of homicides are reaching an all-time record high this year with two months left to go. In 2017, there have been 114 murders as of Nov. 13, which is an increase of almost 40 percent from last year’s 106 murders. But Columbus Police say the public can take steps to slow down the homicide rate.

"We need people to let us know when they hear gunfire," Columbus Police Chief, Kim Jacobs, told ABC6 reporter Steve Levine.

In those life or death situations, a single 911 call can make a difference and save a life. For those who may not want to get involved in the situation or be identified, police say that you do not have to give your name or phone number when you make the call. If you see or hear that someone has been shot, stabbed or severely hurt, call 911 as soon as possible.

Doctors at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center are also seeing patients being dropped off at the Emergency Department doors. They say although you might get there a little quicker, you won’t get the care you need from being taken to the hospital by a paramedic.

"A lot of the calls we get are, there's somebody bleeding in the alley, had we gotten the call earlier, they might have been saved," Jacobs told Levine.

Shay O’Mara, MD, MBA, FACS, OhioHealth system chief, trauma and acute care surgery, and medical director of trauma services at Grant Medical Center, and other Grant Trauma doctors have noticed this trend for a couple years.

"We would have more gunshot victims, but we would see more of them getting an opportunity to live," O’Mara told ABC6.

To learn more about Emergency and Trauma Care at OhioHealth or to find an Emergency Care location, click here.