The South Kilbourne Neighborhood Association met on March 5, 2009, at Suber- Marshall Memorial UMC. Corporal Ronal Felder spoke about how to establish a crime watch in the neighborhood. First the association must establish the boundaries of the neighborhood afterwhich a representative of the neighborhood can contact the Columbia Police Department, and an officer will survey the lighting and landscaping of the houses in the neighborhood as well as the inside and outside of the houses.

Corporal Felder said even if a resident takes the suggestions the officer makes, it does not guarantee the resident will not be robbed. A neighborhood watch requires 80% participation from the neighborhood. Corporal Felder said residents should know the people in front of them, behind them, and on either side of them.

Dr. Belinda Gergel spoke about a Department of Justice Byrnes Grant worth $596,000 that will be used for police equipment. Mayor Coble said that the city will also be submitting for a COPS grant to hire police officers. Because the grant is competitive, Mayor Coble said there is no way of knowing right now how much the city might receive.