COLUMBIA — Three Columbia City Council members sent a response to UM System President Mun Choi about the city’s efforts to address safety in the community Tuesday.
Council members Valerie Carroll, Vera Elwood and Jacque Sample, from the First, Second and Third wards, respectively, wrote:
“As we examine, research and discover evidence-based practices to address crime in our community, we must be specific about the crime that has been committed or the situation that has occurred. This means addressing crime in a different way than homelessness, as they are unrelated are not always related.”
Later on Tuesday, Choi continued attributing crime in downtown Columbia to homelessness, during a Downtown Community Improvement District board meeting at The District's headquarters
“Citizens are talking about the things that they see in downtown," Choi said. "And it has to do with the violence but it also has to do with negative interactions with some members of the homeless community or even violence associated with the homeless community."
A presentation from Choi explained how downtown crime directly affects safety at MU. One statistic specifically stated that between 2019 and 2025, there have been 156 arrests and 150 trespasses at MU involving unhoused people.
Columbia leaders respond to downtown shooting the morning of Homecoming parade
Choi initially called on leaders from the city of Columbia and Boone County to address crime after Aiyanna Williams, a 21-year-old Stephens College student, was shot and killed on East Broadway Sept. 27.
Since then, Choi has repeatedly spoken publicly about his concerns, including at an University of Missouri faculty meeting where safety was at the forefront of discussion. He also spoke during a walk with community leaders in downtown Columbia overnight on Oct. 4.
Carroll, Elwood and Sample said in their letter to Choi that the council is engaging in problem-solving measures that intend to get to the root of community issues and evaluate the current status of crime in the city.
“Even through this difficult and sometimes frustratingly slow process, we will remain committed not only to the stakeholders, but to our community and the citizens, students, and visitors who are here,” the council members wrote. “We remain focused on addressing homelessness and maintaining the inherent dignity of all people living in our community, regardless of their housing status."
Since the shooting, the Columbia Police Department has increased its communication with the public about downtown crime enforcement and prevention strategies. This includes weekend enforcement details from the Columbia Police Department, the University of Missouri Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Choi also said he has been in talks with Gov. Mike Kehoe to increase Highway Patrol presence in Columbia on the weekends.
Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe said she is working with Columbia leaders, including Choi, Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude and Office of Violence Prevention Administrator D’Markus Thomas-Brown, to reduce violence and address homelessness.
As the city invests in new resources, including preparing to open a new shelter and support center called the Opportunity Campus, Choi expressed concern that this could encourage more people who are homeless to come to Columbia.
"Don’t be silenced by the loud voices, especially on social media and others," Choi said at the CID meeting. "This is our city. We love this community. We have a vibrant downtown that I’ll put up against any of the top college towns. We have issues we have to address."