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Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude addressed community concerns following a weekend shooting that killed a Stephens College student.

While overall shots fired and homicide investigations are down from last year, violent crime downtown has increased since 2019.

Police and community leaders are developing a plan to enhance safety, focusing on late-night activity downtown.

Following a weekend shooting downtown that took the life of Stephens College student Aiyanna Williams, Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude has issued a letter to the community addressing concerns.

"The community expects and deserves transparency, and we welcome open conversations about violent crime, public safety and the steps we are taking to address them," she wrote.

Along with the death of Wil

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