Franklinton nonprofit accused of attracting criminal activity reaches deal with city

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A west Columbus nonprofit social services organization has reached an agreement with the city to improve safety measures after being sued for  “attracting criminal activity.”

According to the City Attorney’s Office, an agreement between the city and Sanctuary Night agreed to an order in Environmental Court outlining a number of improvements at the Franklinton area nonprofit, which aims to serve “vulnerable woman who are at risk for sexual exploitation.” 

Sanctuary Night, located on Sullivant Avenue, has been subject to more than 200 calls received by Columbus police and fire for alleged criminal activity that took place between June 2022 and January 2025.

Court documents said that large groups would gather outside the facility when it first opened in 2022, with some in those groups allegedly using drugs. Other nuisance activity began to increase over time, with neighbors reporting porch pirate thefts and people bathing, urinating, defecating, or engaging in sex acts near the property.

Over a two-year span, Columbus Fire was called 40 times for “substance-abuse events” including 16 overdoses. Police surveilled the area early in 2025 and determined traffic patterns mimicked those regularly seen with prostitution, which court documents allege happened outside the property after it closed at night.

A staff member told police that other staff members at Sanctuary Night allowed drug use inside the property, according to the city attorney’s office.

With an agreement now in place, the court order requires Sanctuary Night to:

• Prohibit drug or alcohol use or unlicensed distribution of pharmaceuticals at the premises.
• Prohibit camping and ensure the property does not have any operational exterior water or electrical sources after hours to deter loitering.
• Maintain a current trespass list of all those banned from the property and allow police to remove anyone loitering after hours.
• Refrain from serving food to clients or potential clients who identify as male or are otherwise not receiving any additional services from Sanctuary Night.
• Implement CPD-recommended security improvements, including adding additional security cameras, with footage made available to law enforcement upon request, as well as additional signage, lighting and fencing, the removal of any obstructions, maintaining windows in working order, and hiring special duty officers or security guards during certain hours.
• Contact the City should Sanctuary Night expand the physical footprint of its operations and identify any clients engaged in criminal activity, including theft, drug use, public urination or defecation, within a certain radius of the property.

You can read the full lawsuit below.