Letters of Support

Many local figures are showing their support for Keep Columbia Safe by writing public letters of support. More will be added frequently, so please check this page often.

Letter from CrimeStoppers Board of Directors, to the Columbia Daily Tribune

As a not-for-profit organization dedicated to making the community safer, Crime Stoppers is proud to have played a role in solving several hundred cases during the past 25 years. We understand the power of community involvement and believe that making downtown safer is a cause we should all support.

Crime Stoppers believes that the use of video cameras can be an important tool for law enforcement agencies. A recent brutal attack in a downtown parking garage received attention because the city-owned video surveillance system clearly aided police in making quick arrests. Without cameras, these teenagers might never have been caught. There are other examples, too, of crimes that were solved only because of cameras.

Crime Stoppers believes that cameras are vital to solving crimes faster. The faster you solve a case, the better. It sends a strong message to those who think they can get away with crime that they will be caught.

Crime Stoppers strongly endorses the proposal to have surveillance cameras in downtown Columbia.

Andrew Beverley, president
Crime Stoppers Board of Directors

Letter from Lynda Baumgartner, owner of Image Technologies, to the Columbia Daily Tribune

I have lived in Columbia since 1953. As a child, I walked freely throughout downtown and to and from school every day. There was never a time when I felt unsafe, even when walking home at night.

I realize that times have changed. Times are hard, and lots of young people are in survival mode. Also, a lot of them don’t have a positive adult model in their lives. This is a reflection of today’s culture, and I believe we should find ways to address the problem.

When the Columbia City Council in April elected not to install video cameras downtown, I was surprised. In my mind the cost was nominal considering the benefits to our community. After the beating of Adam Taylor on June 6 in the Tenth and Cherry parking garage, I thought for sure that council members would elect to immediately install the cameras. But instead, on July 20 they elected to deny a request to reopen this discussion at a public hearing.

There are individuals in our community who have no concerns for the rights and safety of others. Therefore, I believe that videotaping would be one way of controlling inappropriate behavior. As members of this community, it is our responsibility to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of all who live, work and visit our community. Those who choose to hurt others must be caught and penalized. Until then, I will think twice before visiting downtown Columbia after dark or using the parking garages.

Lynda Baumgartner

Letter from Ernie Barbee, former Columbia Chief of Police, to 2nd Ward Representative Jason Thornhill

I am a resident of the second ward. I am writing you to thank you and Mayor Hindman for your support of reconsideration of the installation of cameras in the downtown business district. I retired as the Police Chief of Columbia in 1997. During my 32 years of service on the police department I observed many incidents of violence and theft in the downtown business district. During the past 12 years these types of incidents have continued and in my opinion have become more senseless and violent.

During an eight year period after my tenure at the police department I served as the Manager of Security for University Hospital, Columbia Regional Hospital, and Ellis Cancer Center where we used cameras extensively throughout the facilities and parking lots. Through my long Policing and Security experience I am absolutely convinced that CCTV cameras prevent and reduce crime in the areas where used, improve a sense of safety for law abiding citizens, and provide evidence against criminals. They are an effective tool that can be used along with increased police presence to address criminal activity.

While I understand the big brother concerns of some, the cameras would be used passively in public areas where there is no expectation of privacy. Recorded events would only be played back in the event of a crime and the recordings are only kept for a short period of time. I believe that the overwhelming majority of Columbia residents understand their effectiveness and support their use. I am asking that you lobby your colleagues on the council to reconsider the issue. I will do the same with my many friends who live in wards where their representatives decided against the camera installations.

Ernie Barbee