Park Rangers adjust patrol after series of gunshot calls near park

Columbia police have received five different calls for gunshots on McKee street since Sept. 13. Some of them have come from within a block of McKee Street Park, so Columbia Park Rangers may soon reorganize their patrol schedule to increase their presence in the area.

“It all depends on where we see issues popping up,” said Mike Griggs, Director of Parks and Recreation, which oversees the Park Rangers. “We will emphasize some parks if there’s excess activity”

One of the calls to McKee led to the seventh homicide investigation. On Sept. 15 Nathan Taylor, 31, was shot in the 1800 block of McKee street, which is less than a block from the park. He died of his injuries after medical personnel arrived. Jeremy Humphrey was arrested four days later, and is charged with 2nd degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.