Parents share concerns, ideas at second public forum for Mayor’s Task Force

Crime is once again the center of discussion for leaders and community members in Columbia.

The Mayor’s Task Force on Community Violence held their second public forum Thursday night — this one focusing on letting parents share concerns and ideas for how to curb crime.

Attendees were broken into small groups to discuss the four pillars of public safety: prevention, intervention, enforcement, and reentry.

It’s an effort people who went told ABC 17 News takes a whole community.

“If we can get our young kids into positive things like music and ballet they’ll take ownership of their activities and they’ll be at those activities rather than on the street,” panelist Mary Ratliff said.

Teacher Deb Swanegan agreed.

“Every child is our child. Even if you may have children and I may have children, we’ll raise them together and be vigilant about what touches our children because everything affects their lives,” Swanegan said.

The task force will hold another public forum Friday night for young people to speak at.

They will then present their suggestions to city council in November.