City police allocate more resources after Columbia downtown shootings
UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: The Columbia Police Department said it is working with members of the downtown community to ensure safety in the area.
The department said Tuesday it plans to add more resources to downtown patrols in light of increasing crowds and the return of college students. More officers will patrol downtown, enforce parking ordinances on private property, ensure open sidewalks and add lighting to downtown.
Police also said the department is working with local businesses and residents to deter late-night and early-morning tailgating in streets and private parking lots.
“The safety of the entire community is the most important priority to myself and the entire department,” said Columbia Police Chief Ken Burton in a press release. With the return of many college students, we want to ensure that everyone who visits our downtown can enjoy their visit to local restaurants, bars and businesses.”
ORIGINAL: After four shootings in the past three weekends, city officials met for the second time to discuss how to stop the violence especially as college students move back to Columbia.
ABC 17 News checked in with the city and University of Missouri to find if any plans are in place to keep people safe this upcoming weekend after the back-to-back weekends of shootings. The city plans to release an update on Aug 15.
On July 29, one shooting was near the intersection of 10th Street and Broadway and another near Williams and Walnut. A male suffered a non life-threatening gun shot wound. No suspects were found.
The following weekend bullets shattered the windows of Midici’s Pizza at the intersection of 10th Street and Broadway. No one was injured.
The city held a meeting after the first two weekends of shootings. Columbia city officials, the Columbia Police Department, University of Missouri Police Department, anchor tenants, bar and business owners attended the meeting.
This past weekend, on Aug 11 officers responded to the corner of 6th Street and Broadway Street. Police said passengers exchanged gunfire between the two cars.
