COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A Columbus nonprofit is in hot water once again after a judge accused it of violating a court-ordered agreement.
Sanctuary Night has a drop-in center along Sullivant Avenue in Franklinton that serves women at risk of sexual exploitation.
Neighbors call Sanctuary Night a magnet for crime and point to Columbus police data as evidence. According to Columbus police records, there have been 257 911 calls to Sanctuary Night’s address in nearly three years. That number of calls came from when the drop-in center opened in May 2022 through April 15, 2025.
Less than three weeks ago, the Columbus City Attorney’s Office filed a lawsuit against Sanctuary Night and asked the judge to declare it a nuisance property. Almost two weeks ago, the Columbus City Attorney’s Office and Sanctuary Night came to a court-ordered agreement. It includes changes the organization needs to make related to safety and security. About a week after signing that agreement, Environmental Court Judge Stephanie Mingo said the organization violated it.
“Sanctuary Night simply does whatever they feel they want to, and it’s way outside any of the guidelines that any of the other effective and legit harm reduction folks have been doing and getting excellent results,” said Rebecca Hunley, who lives in Franklinton.
“I think that is just a further sign of the issues with leadership,” said Carla Carr, who lives up the street from Sanctuary Night.
Court documents reveal that Sanctuary Night “failed to comply with multiple provisions of the court’s order.” The judge includes that the nonprofit did not let court environmental specialists conduct an inspection, as required in the court-ordered agreement.
According to the Columbus City Attorney’s Office, Sanctuary Night workers eventually let an inspector inside after evacuating all of its clients from the drop-in center.
“I think it’s just indicative of the respect that they have for the community, or lack thereof, the lack of respect for the community, for the laws in our city and, evidently, for the court as well,” Carr said.
Besides being accused of breaking the court-ordered agreement, neighbors said they have not seen any improvements at and around the drop-in center.
“Folks that are nearby are still complaining,” said Hunley. “They are still reporting the same chaotic behavior.”
Neighbors said they feel Sanctuary Night does not deserve any more chances. A contempt hearing is scheduled for this Thursday, and Judge Mingo will decide the nonprofit’s fate.
“I can’t imagine what they’re going to say, that she wouldn’t find them in contempt of this order and close them, as is absolutely appropriate, and give the west side some relief from the chaos, mayhem, and the danger that they expose the women and all of the residents to on a daily basis,” Hunley said.
ABC6/FOX28 asked Sanctuary Night for a response to being accused of breaking the court-ordered agreement. A spokesperson said a statement would be provided Thursday, the day of the contempt hearing.
