Columbia Neighborhood Watch to give progress update at annual meeting

The number of violent and property crimes has increased so far in 2017 from 2016 in Columbia, according to online reports.

The Columbia Neighborhood Watch said that is why it is important to join its group of over 3,000 members.

Columbia Neighborhood Watch’s annual meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday in City Hall.

The president, Irwin Schneider, will give an annual report about the nonprofit group’s progress, and John Gordan, assistant chief of the Columbia Police Department, will be a guest speaker.

Schneider said the biggest difference between last year and this year is the new developments the Watch has made to communicate between members and the community.

The Watch added a new email service so every member can be contacted. The new email service also helped update the membership roster.

Because some members have moved out of Columbia, the updated roster information showed a loss of about 500 members.

Schneider said about 100 people joined the Neighborhood Watch over the past year.

Another topic of discussion in the annual report will be the budget.

Schneider said the group receives a $5,000 grant from the city of Columbia, but it’s administered through the Columbia Police Department.

The rest of its budget comes from donations, which Schneider said have been lacking.

The Neighborhood Watch will be taking part in the annual ComoGives campaign in December to help raise more funds for the group.

Schneider said the money goes toward the Neighborhood Watch training sessions, placement and replacement of the Neighborhood Watch signs, online resources and more.

So far this year, 23 signs have been added or replaced around Columbia.