Columbia police consider changes to ensure trail safety

On Wednesday, the Columbia Police Department said it was considering changes to how its officers patrol trails.

In August, a woman was assaulted by a man on the MKT Trail. The suspect is still on the loose. Police said they’re looking at all options to best keep people safe on the trails after that attack.

They also said they don’t have any updated suspect information, but officers do go on the trails either on foot patrol or on their own time. The department is also talking with staff to see what direction they are heading in when it comes to these patrols.

According to the Columbia Police Officer’s Association, until three years ago, officers were assigned “trail time” up to six hours per month. The Association said Chief Burton ended the program and they have not been patrolling regularly since then.