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Columbia City Government

Columbia City Council approves $58K contract for short-term rental monitoring

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)  The Columbia City Council on Monday night unanimously approved a $58,000 consultant agreement with Avenu Insights and Analytics to help track and enforce the city’s new short-term rental regulations. Between February and July, the city passed a series of ordinances establishing land use, business license, and tax rules for short-term rentals, such

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Staffing shortages hinder Columbia Police efforts to train more officers in crisis intervention

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department continues to feel the strain of staffing shortages that have resulted in gaps in the department in crisis intervention-trained officers.  On Thursday, CPD command staff began a two-day “in-town retreat” to discuss to address staffing needs.  Schlude told a crowd at Tuesday’s “Let’s Talk Local” event that the

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Office of Violence Prevention highlights community efforts to reduce crime in Columbia

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) When Sophia Smith moved to Columbia in 2015, she described her neighborhood as “a gloom, dark place.” Speaking at Tuesday night’s “Let’s Talk Local” discussion, hosted by the City of Columbia’s Office of Violence Prevention, Smith said that for her first three months there, she didn’t want to go outside. Day after day,

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First of several community mental health sessions scheduled for Saturday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The first of several community mental health sessions in Columbia will take place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Hanover Village Community Center. Columbia Office of Violence Prevention Administrator D’Markus Thomas-Brown confirmed the first date on Tuesday. The city approved a $21,000 contract with TMT Consulting last month to provide six trauma-informed and community

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City of Columbia explores ordinance that would bar panhandling at major intersections

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia has suggested an ordinance that would make panhandling illegal at high-traffic intersections. “They’re calling it a pedestrian safety measure, but in reality it’s a getting the homeless out of the median ordinance,” said John Trapp, Executive Director for Columbia’s Room at the Inn. The ordinance would regulate the

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Schlude say police have limited options for calls about homelessness; RATI director points at City Council for ‘lack of action’

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)  Following calls from University of Missouri System President Mun Choi to address homelessness in downtown Columbia, police say their options remain limited. At a September press conference, Choi urged city leaders to consider a loitering ordinance and take steps to “clean up encampments” and tackle homelessness. Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude said

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Columbia leaders say city’s spending reflects priority on safety

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia residents had the chance to learn more about the city’s newly approved fiscal year 2026 budget during a “Let’s Talk Local” event on Wednesday night. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe hosted the discussion at Missouri United Methodist Church, where city officials outlined spending priorities and answered questions from the community. Around 35 people

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