Columbia’s leader of violence prevention weighs in on downtown crime fighting efforts
Nia Hinson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia’s leader of the office of violence prevention D’Markus Thomas-Brown says he supports continued efforts from Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude to keep the city safe.
That includes recent efforts announced by city leaders and the University of Missouri to target crime in the downtown area. Efforts include increasing staffing at the Columbia Police Department and MUPD, as well as increasing the amount of officers from both agencies who patrol on foot during “peak weekend hours.”
Thomas-Brown said those steps are important, but knows fighting crime doesn’t just take one plan.
“We got to take a multi-pronged approach. It’s not just policing,” Thomas-Brown said. “It’s services that are able to be given to families that have been generationally impoverished. We know poverty plays into criminal genic behavior, social determinants,” Thomas-Brown said.
The announcement comes after Stephens College student Aiyanna Williams was shot and killed downtown last weekend, prompting University of Missouri System President Mun Choi to call for action from the city.
Misael Covarrubias, 23, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting, along with three counts of armed criminal action, two counts of first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.
Thomas-Brown recently came from a trip with the city to Columbia, South Carolina, where he said he witnessed firsthand the importance of utilizing a collaborative approach to keep residents safe. He said the city had already been focusing on public safety before the shooting, not just downtown but throughout the city.
Saturday’s shooting helped the city double-down on its efforts, Thomas-Brown said but he said he thinks there’s a bigger crisis in America that needs to be addressed.
“We have to look at firearms and have common sense policies. If that individual did not have a firearm we would not be having this conversation,” Thomas-Brown said.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol have agreed to provide troopers and deputies to help patrol the area. ABC 17 News reached out to both agencies for information regarding how many troopers and deputies plan to help, as well as for the specific hours the patrols will occur.
Sgt. Kyle Green, of MSHP’s Troop F, told ABC 17 News via text that the agency does not put out specific numbers. Brian Leer, with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, also said via email that the department does not release the number of personnel or plans prior to them happening.
“The Sheriff will evaluate requests for each detail/operation and determine to what extent the Sheriff’s Office will participate. I know you are looking for details, but we won’t be commenting on exactly what we will or will not be doing; however, I can say the Boone County Sheriff’s Office will support professional proactive law enforcement efforts to help maintain law, order, and safety,” Leer said.
MUPD spokeswoman Sarah Yoro also said for safety purposes, the department will not release patrol plans. Yoro said MUPD will continue to work closely with CPD to help support public safety and encourages people to remain aware of their surroundings.
Choi also invited city leaders to walk with him downtown Saturday night.
Choi told city leaders the walk would allow them to witness what business owners, students and parents have been experiencing, citing issues such as gun violence and harassment by homeless people. Choi also claimed University of Missouri students are often involved in the incidents.
The walk-through is expected to start at 11 p.m. Saturday and end at 3 a.m. Sunday.
A spokesman with MU declined to comment on how many people have RSVP’d for the walk and said no security for city or university leaders has been requested.
City leaders, including Ward 5 Councilman Don Waterman and Ward 4 Councilman Nick Foster said on Wednesday that they did not plan on attending the walk. Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson said he planned to attend.
Thomas-Brown said while he understands the want to go on the walk and was invited, he trusts Schlude’s assessment.
Choi had also sent a letter to city and county leaders pushing for joint efforts after Saturday’s shooting.