COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP): The Central Ohio Transit Authority says it will spend more money next year to put additional uniformed police officers on city buses to combat an increase in incidents.
 
The Columbus Dispatch reports that police responded to an average of 175 incidents a month on COTA buses between January and October, a 36 percent increase. Spokesman Clinton Forbes says many disturbances “are not really that serious'' and range from fights to eating onboard. But cellphone thefts have increased. Four were stolen in September and October and five were taken in November.
 
COTA board members have approved a $611,000 contract that will put about a dozen uniformed off-duty officers on buses once or twice a month next year. So far this year, COTA has spent about $572,000 for police services.