As foot traffic increases in downtown Columbia, extra safety precautions are being recommended for people and businesses

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Downtown bars and restaurants have seen an increased number of people over the past few weeks after the health order was lifted and are likely to continue leading into the summer months. Owners say they have seen extra law enforcement officers in the area to keep it safe.

Nickie Davis with The District Downtown said as the weather has progressively got better, businesses are back to seeing more people. Davis said safety is a huge concern of the district going into the next few months.

Matt McGee, the owner of On the Rocks, said he has no immediate plans to increase security as he observes most of the "summertime scuffles" happening on the street instead of in the venues.

"Lately CPD has increased their presence on the street level during the weekend bar hours and it seems to have some deterrent when the officers are highly visible to diffuse situations," said McGee.

Owner of Room 38, Billy Giordano, said he has had meetings with his team about de-escalating situations early to avoid potential issues arising, but there hasn't been a need yet for an increase in security.

Davis said CPD's community outreach unit has been a huge part of working hands-on downtown to build relationships with both citizens and businesses in the area.

Davis said the district has also paid the city $30,000 to help install around 90 street lights that will be light up areas in the evenings and at bar closing times. She said they have been working on doing this for almost 4 years and they should be installed by the end of June or early July. The hope is that this will disperse crowds when the bars close.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Columbia Police Department responded to 11 fatal firearm-related crimes in 2020 compared to just 3 in 2019. There were also 374 non-fatal firearm-related crimes in 2020 which is more than four times as many in 2019 with just 82.

Doug Lane, owner of Security 88, related this large increase to people being cooped at home during the pandemic and the increased potential for depression.

Data from the Gun Violence Archive shows that Missouri's gun homicide rate is worse than all but two other states and is more than twice as high as the national average.

Lane advises families that are going to more crowded areas this summer to have a safety plan in place and a designated spot to meet in the area if something happens.

Lane said as many Covid-19 safety guidelines have been lifted and more people have been downtown, he still encourages businesses to control the numbers inside the establishment and have a plan in place with staff on what to do in dangerous situations. He also encourages people in the area to make a conscious decision whether it is safe for them to be in that area.

Lane also said while downtown people especially into the late-night hours, people should keep track of where law enforcement officers are located and be aware of your surroundings. "Everybody wants to go out and shop and do their thing then they're oblivious to everything happening around them and are not paying attention to what people are doing nearby," said Lane.

Check back for more on this developing story or watch ABC 17 News at 9 and 10 p.m.