08/28/2026
Next week, CPD will bring together owners and managers of local bars and nightlife establishments for a roundtable discussion focused on public safety, communication, and shared responsibility. Joining the conversation will be representatives from the University of Missouri Police Department, Missouri Division of Alcohol and To***co Control, Downtown Safety Ambassadors, and MU Student Accountability & Support. Bringing these partners together allows us to share perspectives, answer questions, clarify roles and expectations, and have a broader conversation about how we can collectively support a safe and successful downtown.
These conversations aren't new. For many years, they were part of the work of CPD's dedicated Downtown Unit. In addition to providing a consistent police presence downtown, officers assigned to the unit built relationships with bar owners and managers and provided training and education on issues such as responsible alcohol service and over-service, fake IDs, security practices, and other challenges unique to a busy nightlife district.
The Downtown Unit was disbanded in 2019 as staffing shortages required us to prioritize patrol and our response to calls for service throughout the city. While our staffing levels will not allow us to reestablish a dedicated Downtown Unit yet, we believe that it’s time to reinstate this important part of its work.
Downtown Columbia is a vibrant part of our community, but busy nightlife also brings challenges. Excessive alcohol consumption, fights, large crowds, weapons, traffic and pedestrian concerns, peace disturbances, open air drug use and other disruptive behavior can create real public safety issues. Police enforcement is part of the solution, but it can't be the only solution. Prevention, education, communication, and voluntary compliance are often more effective than waiting until a situation has escalated to the point that enforcement is necessary.
Bar owners and managers play an important role through responsible alcohol service, effective security practices, early intervention, and communication with law enforcement. CPD also has a responsibility to clearly communicate our expectations and enforcement approach, share what we're seeing, listen to what businesses are experiencing, and work together on practical solutions.
We may not yet have the staffing to bring back the Downtown Unit, but we can bring back the communication, education, and partnerships that were an important part of its work.
Jill Schlude, Chief of Police
