North Columbia residents concerned about neighborhood crime

Columbia police are still looking for the people who shot up a north Columbia neighborhood Sunday afternoon. The drive-by shooting happened on Greensboro Drive near Edenton Boulevard. Residents in the neighborhood said they’re fed up with the crime in the area.

Michael Little has been renting a duplex in the area for about a year. He said he doesn’t feel safe and is always on guard.

“I try to be observant on people that live around me. I see some different faces — I try to be aware of,” said Little.

Little said he’s mostly concerned for his teenage son’s safety and said his family probably won’t stick around the neighborhood much longer.

Another resident, who didn’t want to be identified, said he would move out of the neighborhood if he could afford it.

“I very much believe that the north side is a safe place and people can feel that they can raise their kids and have good life. But I also feel that there is more work that we could do to better respond to crime and violence,” said Michael Trapp, Columbia Second Ward council member.

Currently, Columbia police practice what is called “geographic policing,” meaning officers run extra patrols in high crime areas. Residents said it seems to be working.

“I’m glad to see the police around. I really feel safer when they make there rounds in the city,” said Little.

Trapp said the city is planning for a north side police station and could also increase police presence in the area.

“It they need to file a report or take care of police business, they have to check in downtown. So, if they’re doing that on the north side, then response times are going to be quicker, there’s going to be more police, kind of where the action is,” said Trapp.

City officials said the new north side police station would be a fully functional facility and cost around $10 million. It would be paid for with capital improvement tax money. The tax has to be renewed by voters every 10 years. That vote is coming in August.