Columbia police to resume full enforcement of traffic laws

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia police will resume traffic law enforcement after stopping it due to the coronavirus in 2020, according to Police Chief Geoff Jones.

Under a special order, Columbia police were authorized to stop drivers only for hazardous moving violations and indicated for criminal investigation purposes.

"The health emergency called for clear action to limit exposure to the highly contagious coronavirus," Jones said in a release. "We had to balance law enforcement and protecting the public and our employees from the virus."

Jones says citizens regularly complain about the enforcement stoppage.

"Every day, we enforce laws against hazardous moving violations like speeding and lane violations. People also have a sense of frustration about expired registrations and how that might affect vehicle equipment and safety," Jones said.

Jones says officers will continue to follow guidelines to make sure police and residents remain safe.