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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">November 12, 2021</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Toni Messina
<br />Communications and Outreach Supervisor
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7660
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov
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<br />Jeff Pitts
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.817.5049
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov
<br />
<br />Christian Basi
<br />Director, Media Relations
<br />329 Jesse Hall
<br />Columbia, MO 65211
<br />573.882.4430
<br />basic@missouri.edu</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Columbia Police collaborating with MU and The District; share safety operations for downtown Columbia</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - As we move into the weekend, the Columbia Police Department wants the public to be aware of the steps it is taking to address violence in the downtown area. These safety plans will take effect on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. <br /><br />"Downtown is a vibrant, energetic gathering place, and it is imperative that our residents feel safe in the area," Police Chief Geoff Jones said. "Our officers will be taking additional steps downtown to address safety concerns."<br /> <br />Officers will be increasing foot patrols inside and outside of downtown businesses and clearing traffic and foot congestion in areas that can escalate, leading to violence.<br /> <br />The Columbia Police Department will also be exploring the use of temporary lighting systems and expansion of camera systems, both publicly and privately maintained. <br /><br />Columbia Police have been collaborat
ing with the District CID Board and the University of Missouri to address safety concerns, including those related to gun violence. <br /><br />"For many years our department has had a close relationship with the Columbia Police Department, and we will do all we can to support their investigations and contribute to other measures that could enhance the safety of the downtown area," said Brian Weimer, MU police chief.<br /><br />Nickie Davis, Executive Director for the Downtown Community Improvement District, said the District will have ongoing discussions with the Department about the downtown area. <br /><br />"The District supports the work of the Columbia Police Department and will continue to work closely with officers to improve the safety of downtown," she said.<br /><br />Joint plans include:<br /><br />
<ul>
<li>Increasing foot patrols inside and outside of downtown businesses;</li>
<li>Clearing traffic congestion on Broadway caused by illegal parking, standing and pedestrian crossings in an effort to manage crowd dynamics which may lead to disturbances;</li>
<li>Increasing enforcement of alcohol-related offenses;</li>
<li>Developing a new protocol with CPD and MUPD where MU Alerts could be provided if a downtown area needs to be avoided;</li>
<li>Exploring the use of temporary lighting systems; and</li>
<li>Exploring the use and expansion of camera systems, both publicly and privately maintained.</li>
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<br />Chief Jones said some events have brought a lot of attention to downtown Columbia. "Although we cannot speak to each of them individually, shootings in Columbia are rarely random," he said. <br /><br />Jones said that though recent investigations, Police have determined that at least two recent shootings downtown occurred between people known to each other who do not live in Columbia. One shooting, which resulted in an officer intervening by firing their service weapon, was perpetrated by a person who has pending charges for gun-related crimes but was out on bond.<br /><br />"We will also work with the University of Missouri to provide timely alerts when incidents have a potential to threaten the safety of campus, faculty or students," Jones said. "In other events, we will work to update the public with press releases and media advisories. I am thankful for the support and ongoing collaboration of the University and the Downtown CID.&
quot;<br /><br />CPD will also be working to address other safety issues such as alcohol-related offenses and illegal parking. </div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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