Columbians seek solutions to violence
Published April 15, 2005
Residents of the First Ward met at Douglass High School this week to discuss ways to prevent violence in their neighborhood after a string of shootings in central Columbia last week.
First Ward City Councilwoman Almeta Crayton organized the meeting, which was sponsored by the Fredrick Coalition, the Columbia Housing Authority and the First Ward Ambassadors.
Columbia police Capt. Brad Nelson said he attended the meeting because he thought it would be important to have a police presence. Nelson said it is difficult to predict incidents such as last week's shootings.
"The police cannot be everywhere, but when we hear information we try to react, so we are proactive instead of reactive," Nelson said.
The Columbia Police Department has assigned additional bike and foot patrols to the area.
"Citizens can definitely help by knowing their neighbors and being willing to cooperate with the police," Nelson said.