Columbia-Richland County government merger?

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by Jordo123

We need to form a grassroots group to advocate a change in the laws for south carolina to reflect growth trends in the rest of the nation. I understand that people want "local" control, but that creates more government and replication of services. And as for the argument that having a larger population in columbia will result in more crime exhibits false causality. Crime does not increase because a city is larger. For example; Columbia has 100,000 in the city (I know its more but this number makes it easier). lets say 14 murders happened in Columbia. Now lets say 24 murders happened in the area that would be annexed into the NEWcolumbia. Lets say the population of NEWcolumbia is 300,000. It looks like there are 10 more murders in NEWcolumbia than in Columbia becuase there were. But, Murder rates are calculated per 100,000 people so now NEW columbia has a murder rate of 8 and columbia has a murder rate of 14. So it takes columbia from a murder rate equal to San Fransico and Greater than Los angeles or charlotte to a murder rate equal to Anchorage Alaska. It does not mean we actually have more crime. In fact, in a larger consolodated city a unified effort on crime could be implemented. Lets try to do this!

Good Point ...I have said before that law enforcement in the midlands in the past has been somewhat fragmented..problem areas in the County that border the City may not be the "priority" in the County.. given its size and areas that need coverage. That could leave crime to drift a cross borders into the adjoining areas in the City and visa versa. If the City and the County opt not to allow for the consolidation of the governments then the County should work with the City to encourage certain urbanized areas of the County to go into the City. The City Limits should not look like an amoeba spreading in various directions but should be more solid with defined borders or boundaries based on development patterns, public services, and natural barriers. As aid to Cities and Counties decrease it seems that if consolidation cannot be achieved, both governments should continue to work more together to enlighten residents on the benefits of either shared services or drawing boundaries that can more efficiently and effectively serve residents.