Police discuss local impact of violent crime special session

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Parson announced Wednesday there will be a special session beginning July 27 on violent crime in Missouri. The Columbia police chief and the director of the Columbia Police Officers Association say the session could have an impact on local policing.

"I don't get into the politics of this very often, but I will tell you that any time that we are willing to talk about and take action that improves our ability to serve people and protect witnesses and victims, I think it's a good time," said Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones.

During a press conference Parson outlined six key issues that will be discussed during the special session: endangering the welfare of a child, a witness protection fund, witness statement amicability, juvenile certifications, unlawful transfer of weapons and a public safety employee residency requirement for St. Louis.

The Columbia Police Department has repeatedly asked anyone with information about violence, especially gun violence, in Columbia to come forward with information.

Jones said a witness protection fund could help the department address violent crime.

"Anything that protects witnesses is going to benefit us locally. People are afraid to testify, they're afraid to speak up, they're afraid to be ostracized for speaking up," he said.

That fund is managed by the prosecutor's office and helps them manage witnesses that are testifying in court.

"This is more focused on law enforcement having access to funds to be able to protect witnesses at the time an incident occurs," he said.

He said the fund would allow them to be able to protect witnesses from the onset and not only the court process which can take months or even years.

The department tries to protect the identity of witnesses as many are afraid they may become the targets of violence themselves if their names become public after cooperating with authorities.

Jones said one example of what the fund would allow the police department to do is temporarily relocate people. He said this type of help can make people feel more comfortable about their cooperation and could even increase cooperation on a local level.

"Right now if a witness were to relocate after giving us information it would be on their own dime, and most people are not financially capable of doing that," Jones said.

Jones also spoke about the transfer of weapons and cited the latest homicide in Columbia as an example of how legislation on that topic could have an impact.

On July 5 on Volunteer Drive a minor was in possession of a gun that was used in the homicide that left two people dead, according to police.

In June, three teenagers were shot in the same area of Scott Boulevard.

"They are talking about legislation that would criminalize the transfer of firearms to juveniles and I think that would directly impact us and how guns are transferred about and who is responsible for that locally," he said.

Jones said one legislative act could have a wide-ranging impact on several issues locally.

"Legislation on its face may impact one area like witness protection but it has a ripple effect as far as solving crime and reducing police contacts with people, reducing the use of force, those types of things," Jones said.

Dale Roberts, director of the Columbia Police Officers Association, said he hopes legislation that may have been left behind because of things like COVID-19 will be reviewed.

"I know that Representative Basye and Senator Caleb Rowden specifically are working to get the bills that are really important to us, to the law enforcement community, back on the calendar during the special session," Roberts said.

Roberts said any relief officers will get from the session will be welcomed.