City Officials Discuss Solutions to North Side Crime

(WOLO) COLUMBIA,S.C, — Previous meetings packed a crowd and while Tuesday evenings gathering was just as full, instead of arguing about the violence in the area residents listened to solutions. Mayor Steve Benjamin and Police Chief Randy Scott met with residents to keep them abreast of work being done to make the North Side a safer community. The main message, team work made evident by the dozens of residents and city officials ability who came together to discuss what solutions are working and which are not. Mayor Benjamin says while violent crimes like aggravated assaults have made a double digit drop, burglaries and larcenies are still a concern. New joint initiatives by Columbia Police and The Richland County Sheriff’s Department are helping tremendously. For the first time in 15 years the Columbia police Department is at full capacity. The rise in workforce is keeping police on the street and residents safer in their homes.