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February 7, 2020

Issues Forum Summary – February 2020

February 2020: Community Safety Update

Guest Speakers: Chief Skip Holbrook, Columbia Police Department and Sheriff Leon Lott, Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Moderator: Andy Shain, Post and Courier

Summary:
The Chamber’s February Issues Forum featured Chief Holbrook and Sheriff Lott discussing the current state of safety in Columbia and Richland County.

The reoccurring themes were:

  • partnership and community policing
  • removing illegal guns from the street
  • citizens need to always lock their cars and take their concealed weapons inside
  • businesses should always speak directly with law enforcement about safety in their area before making a decision regarding relocation or expansion
  • if you see something say something
  • the homeless issue in Columbia continuously needs to be addressed
  • programs like DARE and School Resource Officers are making a difference in public schools and safety is everyone’s responsibility

Throughout the year, you can expect the Columbia Chamber to:

  • Continue to foster discussions that help businesses understand the safety statistics and their impact on the business community.
  • Support meaningful ordinances, laws that remove illegal guns from the street and that address repeat offenders. The certainty and severity of the punishment should be carefully considered and consistent.
  • Continue to a champion for safety in the community and support for law enforcement.

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