Community group invites discussion on safety in southern Wayne County

Residents of Southern Wayne County are being invited to take part in a community conversation about local safety and the unique challenges facing the area.

A grassroots group called Southern Wayne County Citizens for Safety has formed to encourage discussion among residents of Fredericksburg, Salt Creek Township and Franklin Township about everyday safety concerns and whether exploring additional local resources may be beneficial.

The group will host a community safety meeting Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church's community room, 201 N. Mill St., Fredericksburg.

Wayne County Sheriff Thomas Ballinger is expected to attend the meeting to listen to residents’ concerns and answer questions.

Organizers said no decisions have been made, no proposals are being voted on and nothing has been set in stone. The meeting is intended as a starting point for conversation, allowing residents to learn more, ask questions and share experiences.

“Our goal is to make sure residents are informed and have a voice,” a representative of Southern Wayne County Citizens for Safety said. “This is about conversation, not conclusions.”

Southern Wayne County differs from other parts of Wayne County in several ways. According to the 2020 U.S. census, Fredericksburg has a population of approximately 409 residents, Salt Creek Township has about 4,542 residents and Franklin Township has approximately 4,235 residents.

Together, these communities represent nearly 9,200 residents who share rural roads, schools, businesses and emergency services.

The area also is part of Ohio’s Amish Country. Ohio has one of the largest Amish populations in the United States, and Wayne County is home to a significant portion of that population. This contributes to a daily mix of traffic that includes cars, trucks, farm equipment, bicycles, pedestrians and horse-drawn buggies on narrow, hilly rural roads.

These conditions can present safety considerations that are different from those in more urban or suburban parts of the county.

The meeting will allow residents to discuss road safety, emergency response and whether the idea of a designated township deputy serving the area is something the community would like to explore further.

Any future steps would depend on resident interest, additional information and collaboration with local leadership. The meeting is intended to gather input, not to commit to a specific course of action.

Residents of all backgrounds and perspectives are encouraged to attend.

For more information residents can follow Southern Wayne County Citizens for Safety on Facebook.