Public comments at City Council meeting express concern over crime and policing in Columbia
Watch Monday's Columbia City Council meeting in the web player above.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
At Monday's City Council meeting, there were three public comments that led the meeting and all heavily focused on crime levels and policing in Columbia.
Several people came to the meeting with questions and ideas for the council to address what they feel is an abnormally high level of crime in the city.
Traci Wilson-Kleekamp started the meeting off by asking for transparency.
"Or if something is misstated, it should be said, that I was wrong or I made a mistake, or I need clarification. That would be helpful, that would build trust in my opinion." Said Wilson-Kleekamp.
Donald Weaver with the Columbia Police Officers Association called the city's recent crime an urgent situation.
"This is an urgent situation, and what CPOA is asking for, from the community and the council is that you do two things. You support law enforcement and you support law enforcement officers."
Tanya Heath, former mayoral candidate and Columbia resident, proposed a three-step plan to aid Columbia's public safety. It includes a pledge for residents, volunteer opportunities and what City Council members can do to better understand the job of police.
"What's going to take it to turn things around in Columbia is if every citizen finds the courage to make a bit of difference. There are 120,000 of us, there are more good people who can do more good things, with courage to turn our city around so we have less crime," Heath said.
