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Some local residents said Columbia Police are taking the right steps to prevent another raid incident.
Holly Henry has been outspoken ever since she saw the video.

"From the information that came out, it seemed like it was overkill. particularly for a town this size and what the charges ended up being," said Henry, who spoke at Monday's city council meeting and attended Thursday's news conference. She even made a Facebook event for the city council meeting to spark more interest.

After the news conference, Henry said chief Burton's words were a step in the right direction.

"I thought the policy changes that Chief Burton proposed were really positive," she said. But the concerned resident also added, "I would rather see them mandated by city council rather than just left up to policy because if Chief Burton isn't in that role we don't have any guarantee that it won't happen again."

Dan Viets is the president of the American Civil Liberties Union in the Midwest region. He is also concerned about Columbia Police's approach.

"I think it is especially inappropriate to use violent tactics to go after people suspected of non-violent crimes," he said. "A non violent crime does not really justify the use of violent tactics."

Burton did say in the press conference the department would prioritize its drug matters. But Viets wants the police department to remember what the public said five years ago.

"What I hope the department will do is to take into account is the fact that the great majority of people in this town voted to make marijuana enforcement the lowest for law enforcement," he said.


NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: komu.com
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