Julie Parker told the Columbus City Council on Tuesday evening she does not want her neighborhood to be an easy crime target.
Parker, who has lived in Columbus about three years, spoke to the council on behalf of concerned residents and business owners in the Southside and downtown areas. Dozens showed up to support her.
On Nov. 4, a woman was reportedly attacked by a man at dawn while running along First Street near the Riverwalk. On Nov. 8, two people were robbed at gunpoint while walking near Fred’s on Third Avenue South. No arrests have been made in either case.
“We’re very concerned about this activity and what it is demonstrating to the community as a whole,” Parker said.
A faculty member at Mississippi State University, Parker said she and her family could have lived in Starkville, but chose to settle in Columbus. She said the city’s culture, amenities, family atmosphere and events drew her family in, and they’re proud to live in Southside.
However, Parker said she and others would like to see something done to keep the areas safe. Heightened police presence was chief among the steps Parker said residents and business leaders would like to see the city take.
“We recognize that this is a very large city and you have a certain amount of police officers to do the work of keeping all the residents here in Columbus safe,” Parker said. “But we petition you to make sure there is a stronger presence in the downtown area so that we send a very clear and intentional message that we’re not going to tolerate this type of activity.”
City leaders said they are already implementing steps to beef up downtown security..
Columbus Police Department Capt. Fred Shelton, who is leading the department while the city conducts a search for the next chief, said CPD has deployed officers on Segways and ATVs to increase patrols downtown.
“As the shopping season increases, you will see more police officers and we’re going to be visible on foot patrols,” Shelton said.
Mayor Robert Smith said CPD has officers on patrol at the Riverwalk from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
“We value your concerns and your neighborhoods concerns,” the mayor said. “I can assure you from the mayor and council’s standpoint, as well as Capt. Shelton, we’re going to do everything we can to provide safety.”
Parker also said Southside residents want to start a neighborhood watch program. Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Box directed her to speak with CPD officer Rhonda Sanders on the matter.
“We’ve got some real good neighborhood watches going throughout the city that are very effective,” Box said. “They’re not a cure-all, but they help a lot.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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