Columbus' drastic rise in violent crime recorded in 2021 was followed by a sharp decline last year.

Why it matters: City leaders said last week that Columbus is bucking nationwide crime trends thanks to a slate of public safety initiatives.

• But police department statistics compiled by the mayor's office also suggest the drop could be a natural regression from a record-breaking wave of crime coinciding with the pandemic.

State of play: Reports of homicides, felonious assaults, rapes, burglaries and robberies all decreased between 2021 and 2022.

• Homicides lowered by 33% to 139 from a record 207 two years ago.
• Mayor Andrew Ginther credited this drop to programs like the Comprehensive Neighborhood Safety Strategy and the Right Response Unit, which connects people experiencing mental health crises with social workers instead of police.

Yes, but: The local 2022 homicide count was still much higher than in every year but one between 2012-2019, the exception being 2017.

• And last year's reported felonious assaults and rapes mirror 2020 figures.

Meanwhile, reports of vehicle thefts spiked as teen groups like the "Kia Boys" have targeted certain models of cars that are easier to steal.

• Such thefts have led to police chases and fatal crashes.

Also, the number of gun seizur in a legal battle over an ordinance passed last year to prohibit ownership of large capacity magazines, curb improper weapons storage and prevent weapons purchases on behalf of someone already prohibited from possessing one.

• The city declared gun violence a public health crisis and beefed up security at public parks last summer after a string of shootings.

What they're saying: Ginther called the state's enactment of "stand your ground" and permitless carry laws "reckless and dangerous."

• "I don't know why we're surprised," he said in a press conference. "We let an assault weapons ban expire in 2004, we have a proliferation of guns on city streets in our neighborhoods across America, and then somehow or another we're shocked that there's an increase in violence."

The big picture: State law preempts municipalities from enacting tougher restrictions that Ginther and Bryant want to see passed, but that hasn't stopped Columbus City Council from trying.

• The city and state are engaged in a legal battle over an ordinance passed last year to prohibit ownership of large capacity magazines, curb improper weapon storage and prevent weapons purchases on behalf of someone already prohibited from possessing one.

Just because it's cold this time of year doesn't mean you have to stay cooped up inside.

What's happening: Central Ohio has lots of upcoming festivals that make for perfect weekend plans. A few others are just a quick road trip away.

• In chronological order:

❄️ Mohican WinterFest: Jan. 13-15, Loudonville. Free!

🧱 Brick Fest Live: Jan. 14-15, Greater Columbus Convention Center. $17+. Kids 2 and under free!

🍺 Columbus Winter Beerfest: Jan. 21, Convention Center. $45, includes 25 drink tickets and a souvenir sample mug.

🧊 Logan Frozen Festival: Jan. 21. Free!

🚤 Buckeye Lake Winterfest: Jan. 28. Free!

More events this winter

🚁 A $3.4 million police helicopter the City of Columbus bought in 2019 has been sitting unused in a hangar ever since. (Dispatch)

💊 A new FDA policy allowing pharmacies to offer abortion pills won't change access in Ohio, where state law requires a physician be present when a patient takes the first pill. (Ohio Capital Journal)

🌳 Westerville is proposing a new 10.5-acre public adventure park with canopy walks and a connection to the Alum Creek Trail.

• Officials will discuss the plan tonight at the Westerville Community Center. (614 Magazine)

📵 ODOT's viral TikTok account is off the platform after the governor recently banned the app on state-issued electronic devices. (Columbus Navigator)

The Buckeye women's basketball team record is still perfect through two months of the season.

State of play: Coming off a Sweet 16 appearance in last year's March Madness tournament, Ohio State (17-0) is one of just three undefeated teams remaining in women's college basketball.

• They opened the season ranked No. 14, climbing all the way to No. 3 this week.

Zoom in: OSU breezed through non-conference play, winning its first nine games each by double-digit margins.

• Things have gotten tougher since the start of Big Ten play, with the Buckeyes eking out an overtime victory against South Florida and beating Michigan by nine points.

The intrigue: The team features homegrown talent in guards Madison Greene (Pickerington Central High School), Mya Perry (Reynoldsburg Summit HS) and Jacy Sheldon (Dublin Coffman HS).

• Greene and Sheldon are two of six OSU players currently averaging over 10 points per game.

Up next: The Buckeyes travel to Nebraska on Saturday before returning home to face Northwestern next Thursday. Tickets start at $15.

🔥 Hot and fresh local job listings.

1. Finacle Application Engineer at Discover.
2. Sanitation Specialist at CJ Logistics.
3. Project Director at Willow Tree.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Calling all tree lovers: if your ardor for arbors is as big as a maple, Lake Hope State Park has the perfect contest for you.

Driving the news: The park, located about 50 miles southeast of Columbus, hosts its inaugural tree hugging competition on Feb. 11.

Details: Participants face off in a series of events, starting with speed-hugging — wrapping your arms around as many trees as possible in one minute.

• The "most dedicated" award will go to the person who holds onto a tree for the longest without their feet touching the ground.

The intrigue: In the "freestyle" category, participants have one minute to "appropriately interact" with a tree, with points awarded for "creativity, emotion and communion with the tree."

If you go: We recommend visiting the nearby Lake Hope Lodge for a post-competition lunch.

• Dollar for dollar, it's one of the best meals in Ohio.