(COLUMBIA, MO) -
In response to recent gun violence in our community, saturation patrols have been deployed in "hotspot" crime areas.
The Columbia Police Department Street Crimes Unit and a small portion of patrol officers are being used for the saturations. A saturation refers to several officers being mobile and looking for suspicious activity or people while on patrol in designated "hotspot" areas.
Deputy Chief of Police John Gordon announced on June 27th he was considering saturations to assist in curbing shots fired calls. With the 4th of July holiday, the initial start of the saturations was delayed due to the multiple fireworks complaints that were coming in as shots fired. Each shots fired call had to be reviewed in order to make the distinction between the two and identify the areas where the saturations would take place.
The first round of saturations took place this week, on Wednesday, July 19th. The Street Crimes Unit and patrol officers, along with K-9 Units, began saturation at approximately 2:00 p.m. and went until approximately 11:00 p.m. During that time, the detectives and officers patrolled throughout the city. The following are the results of the saturation:
- 26 traffic stops
- Four (4) check subjects
- Three (3) warrant arrests (one felony and two misdemeanor)
- Two (2) resisting/obstructing arrests (one felony and one misdemeanor)
- Four (4) driving while suspended arrests (one felony and three misdemeanors)
- Two (2) drug arrests
We will continue to actively identify and monitor "hotspot" crime areas and utilize resources, like saturations, when necessary and available. We remind citizens that should you see or hear about any suspicious activity in your neighborhood, please report it. Oftentimes citizens are our first line of defense in proactively deterring criminal behavior and ultimately, making Columbia a safer place for everyone to live, work, learn, and play.
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