Columbus police address ‘disruptive behavior’ at businesses across city
The Columbus Police Department released a statement Tuesday addressing what they call “disruptive behavior” affecting businesses across the city.
“The Columbus Police Department is aware of ongoing issues involving groups of unsupervised minors gathering in Uptown and other business areas across the city during evening hours,” the news release says.
Police said officers and business owners have seen incidents of disruptive behavior, trespassing, fights and “social media-driven disturbances inside businesses.”
“This behavior will not be tolerated,” the news release says. “These ongoing incidents affect employees, customers, families, and local businesses working hard to serve the community.”
CPD encourages parents to know where their children are, who they are with and to avoid dropping their children off unsupervised.
Police said these disturbances can “quickly escalate into more serious incidents.”
The news release says CPD will increase officer presence in impacted areas across the city.
“Individuals involved in criminal activity or disruptive behavior will be held accountable,” the news release says. “Parents and guardians will also be held accountable under local and state law when appropriate.”
The news release was issued the same day the Columbus Council is scheduled to hear a first reading of a proposed ordinance requested by Uptown Columbus, the nonprofit organization that promotes downtown businesses. According to the council’s agenda, the ordinance would “impose a curfew for unattended minors in the Uptown District.”
This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 4:07 PM.