Columbia police relaunch non-emergency online reporting tool following shoplifting surge

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department has relaunched its online reporting website for non-emergency situations following a surge in shoplifting.

The website should be used for non-emergency incidents such as “minor thefts, vandalism and lost property,” according to a Thursday press release from CPD.

This comes after CPD held a meeting with a number of businesses on Nov. 15 in regards to shoplifting concerns. Columbia has seen a rise in shoplifting each year since 2021, according to data from the Missouri State Highway Patrol in previous reporting. The total number of incidents in 2024 has eclipsed each of those years’ totals.

A city spokesperson said on Nov. 15 that it was looking at ways to streamline the reporting process, including making an online reporting system.

“The online portal offers citizens a convenient option to report certain crimes quickly and efficiently. However, citizens can choose to report incidents by speaking directly with an officer,” according to the Thursday press release. “Online reports are entered into the department's records management system, where they are accessible for crime data analysis and investigative leads.”