Violent crime in Columbia’s 2nd Ward is down one percent, police say

Leaders of Ward Two in Columbia and police met with ward residents Monday night to inform them of upcoming projects and crime in the area.

Police said violent crime and property crime in Ward Two is down one percent from this time last year.

Last week at the Mayor’s Task Force for Community Violence meeting, police said there were two or three active gangs in Columbia.

Ward Two residents asked police how they plan to handle the gang issue and help prevent future crimes.

Police said they are working to assign detectives to specific geographic areas of the city to focus on the issue. They also said they are working on a system to track known gang members.

But police told residents that because resources are tight right now, citizens in the ward need to keep an eye out, watch their neighborhoods and report things that look suspicious.

Police Chief Ken Burton said a majority of larceny and car burglary cases are solved with the help of citizens.

The Public Works Department and Parks and Recreation also spoke at the meeting. They briefly discussed upcoming projects, such as sidewalks, road repairs and park improvements in Ward Two.