Columbia news gatherer, communicator and commenter Cole Umber brought up the Clery Act in a recent post.

Don’t you wonder why some of the primary requirements of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) are not embraced philosophically by the Borough of Columbia. The Clery Act requires that institutions keep a public log of crimes and that institutions give timely warnings.

Wiki-pedia states:

“Crime log – The institution’s police department or security departments are required to maintain a public log of all crimes reported to them, or those of which they are made aware. The log is required to have the most recent 60 days’ worth of information. Each entry in the log must contain the nature, date, time and general location of each crime and disposition of the complaint, if known. Information in the log older than 60 days must be made available within two business days. Crime logs must be kept for seven years, three years following the publication of the last annual security report.

“Timely warnings – The Clery Act requires institutions to give timely warnings of crimes that represent a threat to the safety of students or employees. Institutions are required to publish their policies regarding timely warnings in their Annual Campus Security Report. The institution is only required to notify the community of crimes which are covered by the Clery statistics.”

The importance of assuring safety and security for students attending colleges is evident. Equally evident ought to be the safety and security of any municipality’s citizens and visitors.

How do you find out about “warnings of crimes that represent a threat to your safety” in Columbia?

What’s the current, reliable means of “crimes and threats” communication in Columbia?

The back of the sewer bill?

An up-to-date Website or up-to-date facebook page?

A notice posted on the windows at the borough offices?

What crime?

Rumors?