Protests planned as Columbia’s median ordinance takes effect

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department is set to enforce the city's new median ordinance on Wednesday, with protests against the ordinance also planned.

The Columbia City Council passed the ordinance Feb. 2 on a 5-2 vote. Ward 1 Councilwoman Valerie Carroll and Ward 2 Councilwoman Vera Elwood voted against the measure, while Mayor Barbara Buffaloe was among those who voted in favor.

There have been back-and-forth discussions within the community that argue the ordinance targets panhandling. Protesters are set to gather at 10 a.m. along Business Loop 70 between Garth Ave. and Rangeline St., and along Stadium Blvd. between Worley St. and Broadway.

The City of Columbia outlined the ordinance's criteria and identified the areas where it applies on its webpage.

• Prohibits crossing a major road anywhere except in a crosswalk, a pedestrian-control signal, or an intersection if those things aren't available.
• Prohibits being on a median fewer than six feet wide except when crossing the road.
• Prohibits getting out of cars while in a traffic lane or within a major intersection.
• Prohibits approaching cars on a major road unless the car is legally parked.
• Prohibits people in vehicles from engaging with pedestrians at major intersections.

Intersections that are impacted include:

• Intersections with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or greater.
• Traffic volumes greater than 15,000 vehicles per day.
• Medians less than six feet wide are designated as a major corridor intersection.

Those who violate the ordinance can face a fine of up to $500, but no one would face jail time for a violation.

The 47 identified crash areas where data shows the highest risk of pedestrian-vehicle crashes are where officers will prioritize enforcement, according to the city.

Some of those areas include:

• College Avenue and University Avenue
• College Avenue and Rollins Avenue
• Stadium Boulevard and Monk Drive/Champions Drive
• Business Loop 70 and Providence Road.

Several intersections in the city are affected, with the five busiest intersections being:

• Providence Road and Stadium Boulevard
• Providence Road and Broadway
• Broadway and Stadium Boulevard
• Broadway and College Avenue
• Broadway and Old Highway 63

Drivers can no longer hand items to pedestrians from their vehicles. The ordinance also prohibits drivers from stopping in travel lanes in a way that creates a traffic hazard or from allowing occupants to exit a vehicle in a travel lane or major corridor intersection, except during an emergency.