Violence reduction efforts underway as Columbia awaits new data
Euphenie Andre
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Office of Violence Prevention Youth Advisory Council met at City Hall on Thursday for training and technical assistance from the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform.
Last month, the group hosted an introductory meeting with stakeholders from Columbia to evaluate violence reduction efforts, establish shared definitions for community violence intervention and identify strengths and weaknesses.
At last month’s meeting, the group briefly discussed a gun violence program analysis being conducted by the NICJR. The study, which is being conducted in partnership with the Columbia Police Department, is expected to help guide future strategies to reduce violence in the city.
D’Markus Thomas-Brown, Office of Violence Prevention administrator, said Thursday the results from that analysis are expected to be returned by August.
The advisory group will also receive technical assistance from NICJR, including support in communications, crisis management and victim services, along with several other areas. He said combining that support with the data analysis will help shape a five-year plan to reduce violence in Columbia.
“Taking into account the problem analysis that shows our gaps and our problems uniquely to Columbia, not just a national standard of what’s going on,” Thomas-Brown said.
Once the advisory receives the data, it will be able to determine how to promote the program and adequately staff the group.
“When we get the analysis back, it’ll show us the couple of areas where we’re going to need staffing. We’re positioned to be able to go with that recommendation and make sure we hire in the Office of Violence Prevention,” Thomas-Brown said.
The group helps coordinate efforts across agencies and supports and funds community-based organizations to ensure local efforts are included. While the group waits for that data, members said they are already working to prevent violence through direct engagement with youth.
Last month, the Office of Violence Prevention attended a health and wellness fair at Battle High School. Thomas-Brown said events like that help shift the focus from judgment to understanding.
“When we’re talking to young people, we definitely want them to know the trauma-informed understanding of what they go through,” Thomas-Brown said. “Not to stigmatize. Understanding of bad people who make bad choices. No, what happened to you? Not what’s wrong with you,”
He added the advisory used that opportunity to connect them with resources for those who need support.
According to the NICJR plan, the city’s approach includes a long-term timeline: Five-to-10 years for prevention, one-to-three years for intervention and up to 20 years for community transformation. Thomas-Brown said work can be challenging as Columbia continues to grow and change.
“Any kind of headway you had with working with that neighbor here has now switched to a different neighborhood. And if there are different groups in those neighborhoods, that may be a volatile situation.” Thomas-Brown said. “You give it time two-to-three years, that neighborhood turns over and different people are living there,”
Thomas-Brown also said he has heard from community members who want to expand the NoCap program. The Neighborhood Opportunity and Community Accountability Proconsul, known as NoCap, was formed in May 2025 by the Office of Violence Prevention Advisory Board to bring resources to identified areas.
At the end of March, NoCap hosted its “Spring Break Jump Off” at Indian Hills Park, aiming to bring the east side of Columbia together. Markus Williams, a NoCap member, said events like this are important for changing perceptions.
The next meeting is set for Thursday, May 14.