The knocks on the doors began early Monday morning as Columbia Police Department officers hit the streets with dozens of Municipal Court warrants.
“We pulled more than 30 warrants out of our files and went looking for the people,” Chief Michael Kelly said. “The vast majority was vacant houses or the people no longer lived at the addresses on the warrants, but we did get several.”
Kelly joined about a dozen of his officers, Constable Robbie Gill and Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies in attempting to serve the warrants beginning around 7 a.m. Monday.
Lt. Jonathan Harrison, a police detective, said this something they hope to continue, and he encouraged those who owe the city money to pay their fines.
“Go to the Municipal Court offices behind City Hall,” he said. “Or if it is after hours, come down to the Columbia Police Department offices. If you have cash in hand, you will not go to jail.”
Harrison said he was thankful for the help of other agencies, and they’re looking forward to more joint projects.
“We have no set schedule of when we’ll do this,” he said. “You never know when we’re going to pop up.”
Kelly agreed.
“We’re going to work hard, and we’re going to find you,” he said. “I urge you to come on down to Municipal Court and pay your fines. That will keep us from coming to knock on your door at 7 a.m.”
Kelly said the mission Monday served another purpose as well.
“We had the chance to saturate areas with uniformed officers,” he said. “This helps give you a sense that police are out in the neighborhoods. We served several warrants and even picked up a couple of folks who had warrants from the county. It was a successful day.”
Pictured Above: CPD officers attempt to serve one of 31 warrants they tried during Monday morning’s sweep with Columbia Municipal Court warrants. | Photo by Mark Rogers
