Leaders announce immediate measures to fight crime in downtown Columbia

Oct. 1, 2025
Contact: Christopher Ave, [email protected]

University of Missouri President Mun Choi and Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe sent the following to employees, students and members of the media on Oct. 1:

Columbia is a wonderful community that has a vibrant downtown with excellent restaurants, theaters and shops. We also recognize that there are crime issues that must be addressed. We are grateful for Columbia residents, business owners and parents of students reaching out to us to share their concerns and the need to improve public safety in Columbia. We recognize that the solutions will require new approaches and full cooperation among stakeholders. We are aligned in our approach through sustained partnership with public safety and community partners, including the City of Columbia, the University of Missouri, University of Missouri Police Department (MUPD), the Boone County Sheriff's Office and the Boone County Prosecutor's Office.

On Monday, local governments, Mizzou and business leaders met to discuss immediate action items in downtown Columbia. The immediate action items include the following:

• Increase staffing at the Columbia Police Department and MUPD.
• CPD and MUPD will continue the increase in foot patrol in the downtown region during peak weekend hours.
• Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude has confirmed that the Missouri Department of Highway Patrol will provide officers to patrol downtown during peak hours of the weekend.
• Boone County Sheriff Dwayne Carey also will provide additional deputies to patrol downtown Columbia.
• Meeting with U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri Matt Price to discuss federal prosecutive resources and other programs to improve public safety.
• Meeting with Governor Mike Kehoe to discuss state prosecutive resources and other programs to improve public safety.
• Support the Ride Home program that returns people who come to the city for health care to their home community outside of Boone County.
• Request that every downtown business owner complete a letter of enforcement.
• Conduct a review of city ordinances to improve crowd control and safety - especially downtown. Immediate actions will be taken when appropriate.
• Conduct a review of downtown to address environmental issues, including lighting, business hours of operation, individuals sleeping on or blocking sidewalks and traffic flow for vehicles. Immediate actions will be taken when appropriate.
• Conduct an internal audit of all cases handled by the Boone County Prosecutor's Office involving weapons offenses downtown as well as trespass, peace disturbance and misdemeanor assault cases county-wide to ensure these offenses are being prosecuted consistently, effectively and in alignment with office goals and community safety priorities. Immediate actions will be taken when appropriate.

Thank you for your support as we implement these action items.

"I am committed to working with these partners to make changes that align with our community values and create a safe and healthy environment for students, families and business owners," Mayor Buffaloe said.

"I am grateful for the leadership of Mayor Buffaloe and Chief Schlude," President Choi said. "Their deep commitment to the safety of Columbia residents and our students is greatly appreciated."