Cape Girardeau police address downtown patrols, plan additional officers

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Cape Girardeau police say additional officers will be assigned downtown over the next few weeks following an incident last weekend, while city leaders work toward a more permanent solution.

In a statement Thursday, Oct. 1, the department addressed what it described as misconceptions about police presence and proactive enforcement downtown.

Five city police officers were in the downtown area during the evening of Sept. 26 into the early morning of Sept. 27, according to the department. Officers from the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol and federal law enforcement agencies also were present.

City officers conducted 26 vehicle stops throughout Cape Girardeau between 8 p.m. Sept. 26 and 2 a.m. Sept. 27. That total does not include stops made by other agencies, police said.

The department said traffic stops can help officers identify impaired drivers, recover illegal weapons or drugs and locate people with outstanding warrants.

The Cape Girardeau/Bollinger County Major Case Squad was activated to assist with the investigation. Detectives encountered difficulties obtaining surveillance footage because several downtown businesses lacked cameras or footage was unavailable for review, police said.

Investigators identified and apprehended a suspect within 72 hours of the incident, according to the department. The statement did not identify the suspect or specify any charges.

Anyone with information can call the department at 573-339-6621, leave an anonymous tip at 573-339-6313 or text “CAPEPD” to 847411.