Community “feels safer” after significant crime bust

After 22 suspected criminals are in custody, many residents in mid-Missouri are resting easier Thursday night.

ABC 17 News crews went to some of the neighborhoods where the search warrants were served to find out how neighbors there are feeling.

Many residents said they felt relieved and safer, especially the ones that suspected their neighbors were involved in something.

“I suspected something was going on…there was lots of traffic in out and and guns and violence tends to come with that,” one neighbor said.

Tammy Dickinson, U.S. Attorney of the Western District of Missouri, said Columbia will be safer with these alleged criminals off the streets.

“When you take 27 violent criminals off the street in one day, you’ve definitely made an impact in the community,” Dickinson said.

But some neighbors told ABC 17 there is still more to be done.

“Crime…it’s everywhere. You just can’t escape it,” a neighbor said.

Dickinson said they’re still searching for five more people for various crimes. Authorities are looking for Ronnie Gillette, Travis Dennis, Devon Hopkins, Ryan Kee, and Marlon Smith.