New group, Hold CoMo Accountable, wants greater city government transparency on ARPA, police
A newly formed group of Columbia residents has formed a new coalition aimed at city government transparency.
The initiative known as Hold CoMo Accountable started Sunday, wrote Anthony Willroth, in a message to the Tribune.
"This campaign was put together to reflect the views of a diverse coalition of Columbia community members, including business leaders, public employees, current and former city commission members and more," he wrote.
The group wants transparency in the American Rescue Plan Act allocation process, where most of the records are closed except when generalities are discussed at council meetings or work sessions, functioning police oversight and not approving new tools for police. The last item is in relation to the push for FUSUS hardware and software for real time police monitoring of events from opted-in private business and publicly managed surveillance cameras.
Fourth Ward council member Nick Foster, who was the deciding vote in November defeating the ordinance that would pay for the system, moved at the Feb. 20 council to bring the ordinance back to the council. His motion was approved.
More: Columbia City Council votes down FUSUS program allowing police access to private security cameras
The campaign coincides by reporting from KOMU and the Columbia Missourian regarding the officer-involved shooting death of Quillan Jacobs in 2021 outside of Vibez Lounge. A special prosecutor cleared officers of wrongdoing, but the KOMU/Missourian report notes officers violated department policies, such as failing to activate body-worn cameras, the coalition said.
This report also prompted a response from advocacy organization Race Matters, Friends.
"RMF stands with Jacobs’ family and others in calling for systemic changes to policing and greater government transparency,” said Susan Maze, RMF president. “This tragic story is yet another example of why Columbia needs real civilian oversight of its police department. We can’t continue to let police act without accountability. Without answers.”
The RMF Statement, like the announcement from Hold CoMo Accountable references the reporting in stating Jacobs was shot 13 times and a medical examiner found no gunshot residue on his hands.
"The many unanswered questions about (Jacob's) killing follows the collapse of Columbia's Citizens Police Review Board, which was disbanded last August ... making it impossible for the board to meet its mission to help protect the public," Hold CoMo Accountable said, in part, in its formation announcement.
Work is happening to reform the Citizens Police Review Board through candidate interviews and trainings, but public statements at city council meetings — including from RMF leadership — have noted concern over having an effective review board in light of Senate Bill 26 forming the police bill of rights, which also was referenced by Hold CoMo Accountable.
RMF sees police accountability as a statewide issue and that SB26 "should be vigorously challenged," wrote Traci Wilson-Kleekamp, of RMF, in a message to the Tribune, which was cosigned by Willroth.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: New Columbia coalition wants greater city government transparency
