Columbia police urge community to practice safety this Halloween

Columbia Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department said it would have an adequate number of officers working every shift throughout Halloween weekend.

The department said it is important to call 911 if you feel like you may be in a dangerous situation.

"If you see something, say something," said Jeff Pitts, Columbia police spokesperson.

There have been multiple shootings downtown within the past couple of weeks.

"It always feels close to home when a shooting happens near you," said Matt McGee, owner of On the Rocks.

However, McGee believes there are shootings and violence in any town you live in. He said he would continue to keep his community safe by having door staff outside of his bar to help the heavy crowds of business that may come through.

Tyree Byndom, a member of the Downtown Leadership Council, believes some people may even stay home this weekend because they feel unsafe.

Byndom encouraged the community to help each other stay safe not just this weekend but every day.

"If we activated not just the cops, cause the cops, by the time they get there, it's too late. We gotta make sure that we have designated drivers, we got people in the groups that are educated on how to go out and that we're doing it safely."

According to online dispatch records, on Halloween last year, police were dispatched to seven shots fired calls and 38 disturbances.