Salute to America organizers, police focus on safety ahead of holiday

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

With recent violent activity in Jefferson City and a global pandemic, safety is top of mind for Salute to America organizers and police.

Police released details about staffing after a fight ended with shots fired Friday near Capital Mall. In a press release Tuesday about the shooting, police said they have increased staffing for the July 4 "to deter any further planned retaliation."

Lt. David Williams of the Jefferson City Police department said the increased police presence for the holiday festivities is to allow the public to feel safe, as well as to deter those who may be thinking about retaliation.

"We are doing the most that we can to solve this as well as all the other things that happen here in the city."

Last year at the Salute to America festivities, there was a large fight that ended up with 6 juveniles detained.

The chair of the festival David Thompson said because of the fight last year, Salute to America has hired a private security company to place in certain areas of the event.

He said that decision came well before the incident that happened at the mall.

"The reason we were adding that was just to make sure, you know the fight that had broken out last year, we want to make sure the community is safe," Thompson said.

When asked about the fight last year, Lt. Williams said there is no use in reflecting on the past.

"We react as best as we can with the information we have," Williams said. "We believe we do a good job of solving those crimes when they occur."

"Of course we would rather they not occur but we believe we have the personnel, the investigators, and the support of the community to actually solve those crimes when they do occur," Williams said.

As far as keeping the public safe from COVID-19, Thompson said they have canceled a few events, shortened their hours and will have hand washing stations in the carnival as well as throughout the festival.

There will be six-foot markers at each line to remind people to practice social distancing as well, Thompson said.

"We just encourage people to be safe around others and make sure they are social distancing," Thompson said. "Since it is an outdoor event there is plenty of space so they can social distance."

Watch ABC17 News at 9 and 10 for a full report.