Columbia Police host east neighborhood BBQ

More than one hundred people stopped by the East neighborhood BBQ Saturday, an event hosted by the Columbia Police Department’s Community Outreach Unit.

The East neighborhood is described as north of Clark Lane and south of Mexico Gravel Road, and between Olympic and Godas.

On Tuesday, CPD responded to the area for a burglary and shooting. Police say Phillip Warren Jr. forced his way into a home on Navaho Avenue shortly before 8:30 a.m. As he left, Chris Watkins shot at Warren.

Incidents like this are part of the reason CPD says they started the community outreach program. The unit’s goal is to build relationships with the community members.

One of the east neighborhood officers said they have this unit and host the BBQ’s for the community.

“We like people,” Officer Phillip Schull said. “No matter what it seems like, we love people. That’s why we do what we do. We want to help people. We get to wear this dark hot uniform but we’re still people underneath it that love people and want to go out and help in the community.”

Fellow east neighborhood officer Matt Rodriguez said having the kids recognize them and be excited to see them is a success for the COU.

“Having the neighborhood kids who recognize us from going out to the schools and reaching out to them, they see us out on the street and come running up to us and give us a big hug and call us by name, I think that’s a huge success for the community outreach unit.”

Residents at the event Saturday said tensions between police and residents won’t soften overnight, but this is a start.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea and I think they should do another one,” said Debbie Lewis, a resident from the area. “Just because they wear a badge don’t mean that’s what they’re about. They’re human, just like anybody. The only thing these people wanted to know was to extend their hand and say hi.”

This is the second community BBQ CPD has hosted. The first was for the north neighborhood last month.