Source: Columbia Police Department understaffed, downtown task force on hiatus

Local bar owners and management met with law enforcement Tuesday to express their concerns about crime downtown after a weekend shooting.

According to sources at the meeting, police told business owners the department is currently understaffed.

Police also said a task force that is supposed to target the downtown area has been on hiatus for the last six-to-eight months. That task force is supposed to restart this week.

There were no specifics given about what the task force entails.

The remainder of the meeting focused on policies and procedures in bars and with law enforcement.

On Monday night, bar owners told ABC 17 News they want the city to enforce curfews and pass a law against loitering.