The Melrose Neighborhood Association held a short meeting on Monday April 13. Officer Bowman, an officer with the Columbia Police Department, was happy to report that there were no auto break- ins or burglaries so far this month. He did report one incident on King Street. Two men met to deal drugs. When the dealer go out of his car, the buyer got in the vehicle and drove away. Bowman also reported 193 people were arrested from an eight day operation that the Columbia Police Department held in which they hit drug areas all over the Columbia area. Most of the 193 arrested were arrested on bench warrants.

Officer Chris Stokes with the Columbia Police Department offered some safety tips. He first credited the low crime rate to a combination of nosy neighbors and police. Stokes suggests taking all valuables out of your car when you leave your vehicle because of the recent rash of auto break- ins around the Melrose area.

Officer Kevin Stegall with the Richland County Police Department warned about keeping an eye on your credit cards. There is a scam going around where potential criminals will skim credit cards by using a card reader. This allows the criminal to gain access to personal information.

The next Melrose Neighborhood Association meeting will be held in May.