Community meeting to address increase in violent crimes

COLUMBIA — A community action meeting regarding the recent increase of violent crimes in Columbia will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 1707 Smiley Lane.

The meeting’s purpose is to give an opportunity for positive discussion of what the community can do to keep neighborhoods safe, said Becky Markt of the Youth Community Coalition.

Mayor Darwin Hindman, Housing Authority CEO Phil Steinhaus, Lorenzo Lawson, executive director of at-risk youth program Youth Empowerment Zone, and Columbia Police officer Mike Hayes have committed to speak at the event, Markt said.

The Youth Community Coalition, which is sponsoring the event with KRCG Channel 13 and Inside Columbia Magazine, consists of more than 60 organizations, agencies and individuals whose goal is to help youth make healthy choices.

“The Youth Community Coalition is working to make sure kids get the things they need to succeed,” Markt said.