Columbia sees increase in violent crime

So far this year, Columbia has had more violent crime than in previous years.

In 2017, 370 violent crimes were reported from January to June. In that same six-month period, there were 244 violent crimes reported in 2016 and 274 in 2015.

The 370 violent crimes reported from January to June of this year mark a 65 percent increase from the average of the past five years. In contrast, there were only 162 reports of violent crimes during the same time period in 2014.

Number of violent crimes reported from January through June, by year:

2017- 370

2016- 244

2015- 274

2014-162

2013- 211

2012- 229