What Would You Improve in Columbia in 2013?

Robert Rey January 2, 2013 at 11:58 am

More police. Crime is getting worse. I am starting to think I live in the Inner City.

Julia McCready January 2, 2013 at 12:20 pm

Let's move forward on better public transit that more people will want to use. A better connection through the Bridge Columbia project should be a part of a functional overhaul. Downtown revitalization brings a need for transformational thinking.

willie du January 2, 2013 at 01:36 pm

Dobbin Rd. From Oakland Mills Rd. To Snowden River Pkwy, is so very dark at nites. More street lights or "BRIGHTER LIGHTS" are needed for directional and safety precautions. Crime appears to be consistant in this area and on the rise.

H.R. Pufnstuf January 2, 2013 at 02:14 pm

If that happens Columbia needs to break of HoCo and become a real city. The rest of us no longer wish to subsidize Columbia.

j January 2, 2013 at 02:18 pm

Stop redistricting the schools every year. Keep the kids where they live, in one school. Build more schools or add relocatables if necessary.

jj January 2, 2013 at 02:41 pm

We need to be more self supporting. Stop asking what you can get from others for free and starting making a positive contribution to a better community.

jj January 2, 2013 at 02:44 pm

So true. We need to get the criminal element out of Columbia. Just say no to lawlessness.

Esther January 2, 2013 at 03:52 pm

All of the above - more street/road lights, more/better public transit, MORE POLICE!!!! (the ones without major attitude-remember Office Friendly?)

Lorraine Kelly January 2, 2013 at 04:16 pm

Better public transportation and access to transport as well as safer bus stops!!! This has been an issue since I moved here 13 years ago. Rather pathetic given we are one of the wealthiest counties in America.

Pam January 2, 2013 at 04:52 pm

Better Public TRANSPORTATION!!!!!!!!!!!

DFX January 2, 2013 at 05:04 pm

Promote the use of anti-crime apps like CrimePush. Columbia should be known as a place where the the odds of getting caught committing a crime are high. With one thumb stoke and merely shaking your cell phone, you can summon the police or send your location along with video and audio of crime or threats of crime to HoCo police, immediately! Police departments use IWatch for such puposes but it is not user-friendly while under stress. Please look into it and spread the word! It is available for iPhone and Android phones.

John Milton Wesley January 2, 2013 at 06:14 pm

1.
Increase the teaching of Columbia History, and Howard County History in our schools with emphasis on the lives of the people who made the communities what they are today; where they came from, where they lived, worked, worshipped. What did they believe? Where are the landmarks where important things happened? What buildings, locations, sites must be preserved? We should create a virtual tour of important historical sites using an "ap" that would lead anyone interested on a guided tour of Columbia, and or Howard County and market it through all hotels, service stations, convenience stores, etc. 2. We should do is create a music production "mecca" here (in Columbia); in other words arrive at the "Columbia Music Incubator, or the Columbia Music Collaborative" with your musical idea by 9:AM, and leave by 3:PM with your complete music package (250 copies of your CD, brochures, "e-book", bio, resume, photos, and business cards) all done my local, artist, writers, musicians, photographers, producers, engineers, etc. all members of local cottage industry clusters. Site could also expand to include "A&R' development, marketing, and distribution. Columbia is centrally located for such a music development "hub".

JD Smith January 2, 2013 at 09:56 pm

I agree.

Candace Y.A. Montague January 2, 2013 at 11:58 pm

How about markers in the parking lot at Columbia Mall? I hate wandering around that parking lot looking for my car while other cars are hounding me for my spot or gunning to run me over so they can get a slice of cheesecake.

Justin case January 3, 2013 at 03:23 am

Stop bringing people in from the inner city to give them a better opportunity. The baggage they bring includes violence, robberies, burglaries, murder, gang activity, etc..... its a nice gesture but u can't take that lifestyle out of them. If they were criminals in the city, moving them here isn't going to change it

jj January 3, 2013 at 12:56 pm

Stop building more apartments in Columbia. The additonal traffic , pollution, criminal activity, overloaded schools , and higher taxes that apartments bring are not helping our community.

Sondra Liburd Jordan January 3, 2013 at 08:45 pm

I totally agree...Your point manifests itself glaringly in our once amazing public school system. If parents only knew what their kid's school day was like, they'd go to a board meeting and rally for stiffer punishment for these hoodlums or put their kids in private school.

Sondra Liburd Jordan January 3, 2013 at 08:46 pm

Ditto

Sondra Liburd Jordan January 3, 2013 at 08:48 pm

Crime here has certainly increased. It almost makes you want to become a Republican.

Beverly Dash January 4, 2013 at 04:14 am

Improve decent, affordable, age restricted housing for 50+ Columbia residents.