Columbia eyes tax hike for more cops

COLUMBIA (AP) - Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid is asking city voters to support a 20-cent property tax increase to help put more police officers on the streets.

The proposed tax hike would generate $3.5 million to pay for new officers by increasing the city's tax rate to 61 cents per $100 of assessed value. It would increase the city's police force to nearly 200 sworn officers.

McDavid suggested the proposed November city ballot measure this week as part of a broader plan to decrease violent crime. The college town has seen several high-profile incidents this summer, including a weekend shooting on Broadway Street downtown.