Public Safety and Crime

I strongly support a common sense, hands-on approach to neighborhood safety.

Violent crime was lower in Columbia in 2008 and 2009 than it was in 2007.  That is the good news.  The bad news is that many residents have felt the impact of crimes such as thefts and burglaries, including several people in my own neighborhood.  For accurate Columbia crime statistics Click here (hot link: Crime Data Columbia …) or go to http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2010/mar/24/data-are-campaign-fulcrum/#comments

I have voted for additional officers, equipment and training for the police department. Because 85% of crime in Columbia occurs in the neighborhoods, I have strongly supported more frequent police patrols and the deployment of the Street Crimes Unit to areas that are experiencing spikes in crime. This new approach, put in place by Chief Burton, is helping residents feel safer.

In a Columbia Tribune editorial, Hank Waters said “Everyone in or out of office agrees we should strive to keep [the police] contingent up to reasonably authorized limits.  Everyone agrees officers should be deployed as effectively as possible, and [Chief] Burton’s effort to that end is credible.”  He went on, “Beware the efforts of candidates to convince us of an ignored problem they will somehow do more to fix.” Go to http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2010/mar/27/crime-wave/

I also voted for the placement of surveillance cameras in all downtown parking garages because they are low visibility, high-risk areas for crime.  I did not vote to spend limited city funds for surveillance camera trailers on downtown street corners, because they are expensive, and evidence that they prevent crime is lacking.  However, my future decisions will be informed by the ballot initiative.  Click here (hot link: Mobile Trailer …) to see what these units look like.  I prefer to invest taxpayer dollars in strategic, mobile, human crime-fighters, so I supported the formation of a dedicated Downtown Unit of the CPD.

Crime prevention also depends on neighbors working together.  I support the Neighborhood Watch program and the formation of the Neighborhood Services Unit.  I arranged for a Third Ward Crime Summit in 2009, with another one scheduled for February 11, to encourage neighborhood action.  It is also essential for landlords to screen their tenants before renting, and to evict tenants who are involved in criminal activity.  Landlords should not impose illegal activity on the neighbors by renting to known criminals.

Finally, I have actively supported efforts to help our police department become more professional and accountable, including adoption of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Standards for Conducted Energy Devices (CED) and accreditation of the Columbia Police Department by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).  And in the spring of 2009 I graduated from the Columbia Civilian Police Academy.

Paid for by Skala for Council, Clyde Wilson, Treasurer