Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Homicide at 20th and Kensington

Officers were dispatched to 20th and Kensington on a reported shooting at 4:43 p.m. Monday, June 29. Upon arrival, officers found a man lying in the street with an apparent gunshot wound. Paramedics were unable to revive him.

The homicide victim has been positively identified as 24-year-old Anthony Barnett, a white male, of Kansas City, Mo. There are no suspects in custody and detectives ask anyone with information to call the TIPS Hotline at 816.474.8477.

Why we do sobriety checkpoints

Through May of this year, 79 percent of those killed in Kansas City’s fatality traffic accidents have involved people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We are still awaiting toxicology reports on several of the June deaths to determine whether alcohol or drugs were involved in those. And if trends follow last year’s, July will have a higher fatality crash rate than any other month of the year.

Despite this, we continue to hear complaints that sobriety checkpoints are a waste of department resources. In advance of a holiday weekend that will feature one, I wanted to clarify some points about our sobriety checkpoint program.

First, these checkpoints are funded exclusively by grants, not by any city dollars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) allocates money to each state for traffic safety programs. In Missouri, that money goes to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Division, which in turn divvies it up to law enforcement agencies around the state specifically for the purpose of conducting DUI checkpoints. KCPD has received grants for 20 DUI checkpoints this year, compared to 14 last year. The rules of these grants stipulate we cannot use this money any other way.

The federal and state governments are so confident in the need for sobriety checkpoints that they not only pay for the overtime of a minimum of 10 officers at each checkpoint, they also provide the police department equipment to use.

Second, checkpoints serve three primary purposes: deterrence, education and arrest. The arrest is really the least of these goals. If people know there is a chance they could be stopped in a sobriety checkpoint, they will be deterred from driving intoxicated. Checkpoints are a very public way to remind drivers to avoid unlawful behavior. Those driving by one person pulled over by an officer don’t know what that person was pulled over for and give little thought to what impact that person’s infraction has on their own actions. But those driving by or through a DUI checkpoint know exactly what’s going on and may be more likely to drive responsibly in the future. This deterrent effect is the primary reason for these checkpoints. Honestly, police would prefer not to arrest anyone for DUI because they want everyone to be driving sober.

So far this year, 79 percent of Kansas City’s traffic deaths have been DUI-related. As a police department, we would be remiss to ignore this problem.


Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

Monday, June 29, 2009

Police win Battle for Blood!

For the second year in a row, Police came from behind to claim victory in the annual Battle for Blood drive for Community Blood Center. Metro-area Police registered 729 blood donors to Fire's 602. Police had lagged behind all week but made up a lot of ground on Friday, June 26. The real winners, of course, are the people in the Kansas City area who need life-giving blood transfusions.

The Battle for Blood may be over, but the Community Blood Center still needs blood donations. This year's drive brought in 450 fewer registered blood donors than last year, and summer is a time of critical need for the Community Blood Center. So if you haven't already, please donate, and you could save a life! If you did donate, you're eligible to donate again in as little as eight weeks.

Go to www.savealifenow.org for more information or to schedule an appointment to donate blood.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

Friday, June 26, 2009

Conference explores crime-free solutions for rental property starting Monday

PRESS RELEASE:
Law enforcement officers and rental property managers from across the country and the world will converge on Kansas City on Monday to learn better ways to protect tenants from a variety of dangers.

The 11th Annual International Crime Free conference will make its first visit to Kansas City on June 29 and run through July 1 at Bartle Hall. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department has been working to bring the conference here for the past two years. In years past, approximately 300 attendees have come from across the United States as well as Canada, Mexico, Nigeria and the Philippines.

The Crime Free Programs are innovative, law enforcement-based crime prevention solutions designed to help keep illegal activity off rental property. In Kansas City, Crime Free programs are offered for apartment complexes and hotels and motels. They focus on screening potential tenants, knowing the signs of criminal activity and security through environmental design. Each of KCPD’s six patrol divisions has officers assigned specifically to Crime Free programs.

This year’s conference will feature such speakers as U.S. Attorney Matt Whitworth of the Western District of Missouri, KCPD Deputy Chief Cy Ritter, comedian David Naster and Kansas City news radio veteran Dan Verbeck. The event is funded by the non-profit Mid-America Crime-Free Inc. organization.

Attendees can choose from dozens of break-out sessions that affect rental property, including: how to make self-storage units and mobile home parks crime-free, how to identify marijuana-growing and meth-making operations. Other classes include domestic violence issues, safe and environmentally friendly property lighting, conflict resolution, identifying gang and human trafficking activities, welfare fraud, warrant sweeps, self defense for property managers, and disaster preparedness.

The conference begins at 8 a.m. each day and wraps up at 4:45 p.m.

send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Red light cameras and police limitations

From the outset of the Red Light Camera Program, my stance has been that the police department supports it if it’s for safety purposes, not generating revenue. We’ve now come to a crossroads in which continuing the program as it’s currently run is causing us to do a rather unsafe thing: pull two traffic enforcement officers off the street a day to review the violations. That’s two officers who could otherwise be responding to calls for service, enforcing traffic laws on highways and streets, helping stranded motorists and providing traffic control at significant events.

The Special Operations Division reports that each red light camera generates about 20 violations per day. At present, there are 20 red light cameras, with another 10 to be installed by the end of the summer. This equates to 600 violations to review per day, or about 4,200 a week. The officers must watch the video of each violation to determine if it clearly shows a car running a red light. Officers are currently able to review about 43 violations per hour. Therefore, (with an occasional break for the officers) it takes about 95 hours a week to review the violations, which is more than the work of two full-time officers. Another 12 hours a week is necessary for a sergeant’s review and administration of the program.

Court dates for those who have pleaded not guilty to red light camera tickets have not started yet, and if officers were called into court on these cases often, it would take even more time away from their patrol duties.

Suffice it to say, we cannot go on like this. We are under a hiring freeze and already have reduced manpower due to dozens of early retirements last month. We can ill afford to take two officers away from their regular duties of public safety. It would cost about $150,000 a year to assign two full-time officers to review these violations. If 4,200 violations are issued a week at $100 a piece (another $13.50 goes to court costs), the cost to hire these officers could theoretically be taken care of with the revenue from four days’ worth of violations.

We don’t want this to be about the money, but some is necessary to run the program, and we’re asking the city to work with us on arranging that. I was heartened to hear from city officials at Tuesday’s Board of Police Commissioners meeting that red-light running at the location of the original red light cameras, 39th Street and Southwest Trafficway, has dropped 80 percent since the cameras were installed in February. That kind of increased roadway safety is truly priceless.


send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

June 24 homicide



UPDATE: The people pictured in the above photos are persons of interest in this homicide. Please call the TIPS Hotline if you know who they are and/or where to find them.
____________________________________
Officers were called at 12:13 a.m. Wednesday to investigate a shooting at 36th and Main streets. When the officers arrived, they discovered a male in his 20's dead in the street (on 36th Street, just west of Main).

The victim has been identified as 22-year-old Montague K. Ashline, a black male, of Kansas City, Mo. There are no suspects in custody and anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Mourning the loss of one of our own


Today is a difficult day for the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. Today we mourned the loss and celebrated the life of Officer Peter Aretakis, an officer who served nearly 20 years on this department. Pete lost his battle with cancer on June 19, and his funeral services were today.

Pete was assigned to the North Patrol Division, Watch III. He was diagnosed with cancer in October 2008. He had been undergoing chemotherapy, and in February of this year, it appeared to be working so well that Pete returned to work on limited duty.

Pete was a highly respected and much-loved veteran of KCPD. Shortly after he started chemotherapy this past November, his fellow officers at North Patrol decided to show their camaraderie by shaving their heads since Pete was losing his hair in chemo (a photo of this event is above, with Pete Aretakis in the barber's chair and Officer Pete Shultz shaving Officer Aretakis' head). More than 20 of them went bald that day, including a female officer who cut off a 29-inch braid and shaved her head like her male counterparts to show her support for Pete.

This is a difficult loss for our department, but it is much more difficult for Pete’s family, including his wife and two boys. Our thoughts and prayers are with them for peace and comfort at this time.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Battle for Blood update

After the weekend, Police are behind on Battle for Blood donations. The totals are:

Police: 107
Fire: 151

We've got until Friday to bring in as many blood donors for Police as possible to Community Blood Centers around the metro. Your donation could save two lives!

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

Homicide at 35th and Agnes

On Sunday, June 21, at about 4:40 p.m., officers were called to 35th and Agnes on a shooting. Officers arrived and observed the victim inside his vehicle, in the intersection. The victim was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital where he later died. The victim has been positively identified as 26-year-old Eric Taylor of Kansas City, Mo. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Police, Fire engage in Battle for Blood starting June 20


A seemingly innocuous day of family fun will kick off a week-long, metro-wide turf war to save lives.

Kansas City Police and Fire departments will join other law enforcement and firefighting agencies around the Kansas City region in the 15th Annual Battle for Blood that will take place June 20-26 at all Community Blood Center locations. Last year, the Police pulled out a narrow victory with 912 registered blood donors to Fire’s 868 donors. Police will make every effort to retain the Champion’s Cup in 2009.

The Kansas City Missouri Police and Fire departments will help kick off the Battle at the Community Blood Center’s 4040 Main St. location from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fire equipment will be on display, as will several police elements, including the Canine and Mounted Patrol sections, the DWI-Blood Alcohol Test van and the roll-over car accident simulator. Radio station KFKF will be broadcasting live, and the TIPS Hotline-mobile will be roaming between Community Blood Center locations around the metro. A free hot dog lunch will be served, and all registered donors will receive a free T-shirt. Everyone is invited to attend.

The Battle for Blood comes at a pivotal time for the Community Blood Center, just before the Fourth of July holiday.

“Our blood supply is critically low for every blood type, especially O,” said Maureen O’Sullivan, Community Blood Center’s Director of Donor Recruitment. “We’re at about a 1-day or less supply.”

O’Sullivan said summer is always a slow time for blood donations with people on vacation and high schools – from which the Center draws about 15 percent of its donor pool – out of session. Holiday weekends like the Fourth of July slow donations even more.

“That’s why we time it right before a holiday because we absolutely count on Battle for Blood,” O’Sullivan said.

Anyone can participate in the Battle for Blood and pick their favorite team – Police or Fire – to benefit from their donation. All donors will receive a free T-shirt. In addition to the Community Blood Center locations listed below, the Kansas City Missouri Police Department will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, June 26, at the Police Academy, 6885 NE Pleasant Valley Road, in the gymnasium.

Blood can be donated at any of the following Community Blood Center locations, and 16-year-olds are now eligible to donate blood with a parent’s permission. Donors at all locations will receive a free T-shirt, and on Saturday, all locations also will serve a free hot dog lunch:

Kansas City
4040 Main St.
Gladstone
7265 North Oak Trafficway
Blue Springs
1124 W. 40 Highway
Overland Park
10568 Metcalf Ave.
Olathe
1463 E. 151st St.
Lawrence
1410 Kasold

Check out www.battleforblood.com for more information, to make an appointment, and daily donation totals for Police and Fire.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Board of Police Commissioners meeting June 23

Below is the agenda for the June 23 Board of Police Commissioners' monthly meeting. The meeting will take place at 9 a.m. on the sixt floor of Police Headquarters, 1125 Locust St. Public comments will be taken between 10:30 and 11 a.m. :

1. Call to Order – Invocation – Pastor Keith Ratcliffe.

2. Awards and Commendations.

Life-Saving Award
Officer David Loar
Former Officer William Baker

Special Unit Citation
Patrol Video Unit

Meritorious Service Award
Sergeant Lee Richards

Meritorious Service Award
Administrative Assistant Robin Jackson

Meritorious Service Award
Instructor/Gunsmith David Andress

3. Annual Financial Audit, Cochran, Head, Vick & Co., PA.

Mr. David Cochran

4. Legislative Update.
Mr. Andy Arnold
Mr. Woody Cozad
Mr. Jewell Patek

5. Approval of Minutes.
a. April 28, 2009 Board Meeting.
b. May 14, 2009 Business Session.
c. May 26, 2009 Board Meeting.

6. Mr. Gary White, City Auditor.

a. Monthly Status Report.
b. General Discussion.

7. Councilwoman Cathy Jolly - Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods.

8. Red Light Cameras.
Mr. Stan Harris
Mr. Gregory Rokos

9. CIMO Report.
Mr. Eric Bosch

10. Ms. I. Pearl Fain – Office of Community Complaints.

a. General Discussion.

11. Chief James Corwin
a. Blueprint for the Future.
b. Budget Update FY 2010.
c. General Discussion.

12. Deputy Chief Nick Nichols – Executive Officer.

a. Monthly Report OCC Investigations.
b. General Discussion.

13. Deputy Chief Cyril Ritter – Patrol Bureau.

a. Crime Summary
b. Performance Report.
c. General Discussion.

14. Deputy Chief Kevin Masters – Investigations Bureau.

a. Arrest Summary.
b. General Discussion.

15. Deputy Chief Rachel Whipple – Administration Bureau.

a. Personnel Summary.
b. Project #279, Revision of Procedural Instruction 07-3, Persons with Mental and/or Substance Abuse Disorders.
c. Project #289, Revision of Procedural Instruction 06-12, Call Prioritization.

16. Deputy Chief Darryl Forte´ – Executive Services Bureau.

a. Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Award.
b. Acceptance of the Midwest HIDTA Investigative Support Center Initiative Cooperative Agreement.
c. Award for Mobile Data Computers Traffic Grant.
d. Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009-10.
e. Budget Transfers for Fiscal Year 2009-10.
f. Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Donation.
g. Budget Summary Report for the Month of May.
h. FY 10 Budget Implementation Timeline.
i. Design Services Agreement with Hoefer Wysocki Architects, Re: New South Patrol Division and Special Operations Division.
j. Jail Consolidation.

17. Ms. Lisa S. Morris.

a. Private Officer License Appeal, Leaman D. Wilson.
b. Private Officer License Appeal, Kimberly Haywood.
c. Private Officer License Appeal, Christian Haley.
d. Private Officer License Appeal, B & E Armed Security Service.

18. Retirement Study Survey.

19. Public Comments

20. Scheduled Meetings:

Friday, July 24, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
9:00 a.m., 6th Floor, Board Room

Business Session:

Thursday, July 9, 2009
8:30 a.m., 6th Floor, Board Room

Audit Committee Meeting.

Thursday, July 9, 2009
10:00 a.m., 6th Floor, Board Room

21. Audit Committee Report.

22. Jennifer Atterbury.

23. Chief James Corwin.

24. Mayor Mark Funkhouser.

25. Commissioner Karl Zobrist.

26. Commissioner James B. Wilson.

27. Commissioner Mark C. Thompson.

28. Commissioner Patrick A. McInerney.

29. Motion to go into Closed Session.

30. Informational Items:
a. CNN.com article, “Police officers saved by stimulus may still lose jobs.”
b. Project #346, Proposed Procedural Instruction, Adult Missing Persons.
c. Facility Usage, July 2009.
d. PAL/D.A.R.E. Program and Event Calendar.
e. May 2009 News Coverage.
f. 311 Action Center Complaint Response by Parking Control Section.
g. Status of Public Safety Sales Tax at the end of April and May.
h. KCPD Grant Summary 06/08/09.
i. Donated Property Summary Report.
j. Sole Source Purchase of DNA Analysis Software and Training.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

15-year-old shot

PRESS RELEASE: At 9:38 p.m. June 16, officers were called to the 4200 block of Park on a shooting. Apparently, a group of five to six teenagers were in the basement of a residence with a gun. During the incident, the gun discharged and struck a 15-year-old male. The juvenile victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The young adult (approximately 17 years old) who discharged the gun is currently being questioned in regard to the incident. It is unknown at this time if the shooting was accidental or intentional.

Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 474-8477.


Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Police seek missing man

UPDATE: James Harrahill was located this morning, June 17, in a local hospital emergency room. He reported that he had been the victim of a robbery in Raytown, Mo. Police are investigating.

Police are looking for a 61-year-old man who was last seen by his family leaving the area of 702 E. 97th Street at about 10 p.m. yesterday, June 15.

James J. Harrahill is a white male who is 5 feet six inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. He was last seen driving a black 1999 Mercury Sable with Nebraska license plate No. RBJ-837. Mr. Harrahill suffers from schizophrenia and may appear disoriented or confused. If you see him, please call 911 or the KCPD Missing Persons Section at 816-234-5136.

Purse thief sought


On May 16, 2009, a customer left her purse at the check stand at Wal-Mart, 8551 N. Boardwalk, and the woman in the attached photos took it to the restroom, where two digital cameras were taken from the purse.

If you know the identity of the female suspect in the photos, please call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Survey predicts peril for domestic violence victims

Police officers responding to domestic violence situations have a new tool to get victims to safety.

Starting June 1, KCPD officers began administering the Domestic Violence Lethality Screen for First Responders to victims of domestic violence. Twelve questions based on academic research determine how likely it is for a victim to be killed by an abuser. If the victim’s answers indicate he or she is in great danger, officers do everything they can to get the victim in touch with a domestic violence victim advocate for safety planning and arranging to get the victim out of the situation, said Captain Mark Folsom, commander of the Special Victims Unit.


Three years ago, a professor at Johns Hopkins University studied hundreds of murders and attempted murders involving intimate partners around the country, including many from Kansas City. She found several factors can trigger a lethal outcome such as threats of death, unemployment, previous attempted suicide and more. She used those factors to develop a screening instrument that has been highly successful in Maryland. Captain Folsom began studying the work more than a year ago and worked to bring the survey to KCPD to be administered by district officers responding to cases of intimate partner violence. Kansas City, Mo., is one of just five cities in the nation to receive federal grant funding to initiate the screening program.

A certain number of “yes” answers to questions on the survey or an officer’s gut feeling that the victim is in danger prompts an immediate call to domestic violence service providers.

All district officers have now been trained to use a cell phone to call 24/7 victim advocates at local domestic violence service providers from the crime scene. They are to encourage the victim to take the phone and speak with the advocate to devise ways to get out of the situation immediately and set up future safety planning appointments. Afterward, police staff follow up with phone calls to see if the victim has kept those appointments.

“We are so grateful and appreciative of the Police Department’s cooperation,” said Lisa Fleming, Chief Operations Officer of Rosebrooks Center, a domestic violence shelter. “This has required so many police resources and a change of their regular protocol. … This has the potential to have a huge impact.”

On the first day of the assessment, officers in Central Patrol Division screened in a high-danger domestic violence victim and got her shelter and safety planning through Rosebrooks Center.

Captain Folsom pointed out that 60 percent of the city’s non-aggravated assaults and 33 percent of aggravated assaults are domestic-violence related. In 2008, eight people died in domestic violence-related homicides in Kansas City.

KCPD has committed to the lethality screening program for at least five months and will continue if it is successful.

“We can do the best job in the world of investigating a crime at the scene and arresting the bad guy … but ultimately if we can’t find a way to break the cycle of violence, then we’re not going to be able to really impact the problem,” Captain Folsom said. “The key is – in my opinion – getting people to the advocates who can help them. This program does that.”

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

Friday, June 12, 2009

June 26 conference seeks to end homelessness in Kansas City





PRESS RELEASE:

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department will host a conference June 26 that will explore ways to create systemic change to end homelessness in the Kansas City region.

The conference, titled, “From This Day Forward: Ending Homelessness in Kansas City,” will take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon June 26 at the Kansas City Police Academy, 6885 NE Pleasant Valley Road. Anyone interested in homelessness should attend, including social service personnel and government and elected officials who are interested in helping design a solution to the problem of homelessness in the region.

The video above and on the Kansas City Police Department’s Web site, www.kcpd.org, is called “What is the Cost of Doing Nothing?” It explores the financial impact of letting the problem of homelessness continue as it has been – handled largely by public safety agencies and the judicial system.

“Our mental illness policy in this country has made homelessness a law enforcement problem,” said Evelyn Craig, executive director of reStart Inc. and co-chair of the Homelessness Summit Task Force.

KCPD estimates that it responds to 25 calls a week involving homeless persons. If just one call per week could be eliminated, that could amount to an almost $2 million savings per year, according to the online video. Police Chief James Corwin and other leaders from law enforcement, the judiciary, hospitals, shelters and others have been meeting for more than a year and a half to create a blue-ribbon commission that would sway public policy toward creating solutions that compassionately eliminate homelessness in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. This conference will be a major step toward that goal.

“The end of homelessness is a lofty but necessary goal for the future vitality of our community,” said Dr. George Harris, co-chair of the Homelessness Summit Task Force. “To end homelessness, it is now clear that there must be an integration and coordination of private and public social service efforts, police, and judicial responses to public policy initiatives.”

The conference will summarize the results of the Kansas City homeless census taken in January, review changes in homeless populations, identify gaps in service, review programs in other cities, discuss police involvement with the homeless and talk about moving from the paradigm of soup kitchens and shelters to treatment and supportive housing.

It also will feature a panel discussion with Municipal Court Judge Joe Locascio, Downtown Council CEO Bill Dietrich, Mayor Mark Funkhouser, Chief Corwin and former city council member Alvin Brooks.


Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Site for new South Patrol Division has historic ties


The land where the new South Patrol Division is to be built was once a major stop on some of the most famous pioneer trails in American history.

In mid-May, the city closed on its purchase of 25.34 acres at Bannister Road and Marion Park Drive, just behind the Home Depot on Bannister. (click on the picture to see a larger map of the area) The land cost $2.26 million and will house the new South Patrol Division, Special Operations Division, and maybe more in the future.

But the acreage isn’t just any old chunk of land. It’s the site of the Hart Grove campground, said Officer Rhonda Schulte, project manager of the site. The land is near Hart Grove Creek and was the campsite for many travelers along the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails as well as for the ill-fated 1846 Donner Party, according to the U.S. National Park Service. Swales, or wagon ruts, made by pioneers of days gone by are still visible there.

The new police development will set out to honor the area’s history, Officer Schulte said.

“This will be the first police station with National Park significance,” said Major Cheryl Rose, South Patrol commander.

Major Rose said she and others have met with U.S. National Parks representatives as well as members of the Three Trails Community Improvement District. Though nothing has been decided, Major Rose said the police buildings on the site will somehow recognize the area’s past, possibly through historic displays or incorporating the significance of the Three Trails into the architecture.

Construction on the new South Patrol station should begin in February or March 2010 and take about one year to complete, said Eric Bosch, director of the City’s Capital Improvements Management Office (CIMO). The new Metro Patrol Division Station at 75th and Prospect should open about the same time that construction commences for South Patrol.

While the new station will have a lot of history, it will have many modern advantages, too, including ready access to multiple interstates and highways. It also will be larger than the existing South Patrol, which was built in 1978. Officer Schulte said the KCPD has outgrown that station.

“For example, there’s only one women’s toilet for employees to use in the whole facility,” she said.

The current structure also has a leaky roof and inadequate locker room space, Officer Schulte said.

South Patrol won’t be the only police facility to go on the new site. The Special Operations Division will be located there, too, possibly including the Canine and Helicopter sections if it’s financially feasible, Officer Schulte said. CIMO has not planned a date for construction on an SOD building, but there’s a chance it could be part of the new South Patrol.

“We’re currently looking at the economies of one building versus two buildings,” she said.

Depending on whether voters renew the quarter-cent public safety sales tax – set to expire in 2011 – the site also could someday house the Regional Crime Laboratory and possibly even a new property and evidence warehouse, Officer Schulte said.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Teen killed in shooting

At 7:30 p.m. yesterday, June 8, Kansas City Police were called to a residence in the 2600 block of Jackson in regard to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located three shooting victims (black males in their late teens) on the front porch. One was pronounced dead at the scene and the other two were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The homicide victim has been positively identified as 16-year-old Raheem C. Marchbanks of Kansas City, Mo. There are no suspects in custody, and detectives ask anyone with information to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

Missing 19-year-old


UPDATE: Evan has been found safe in Olympia, Washington.
CORRECTION: Evan is 19 years old, not 17 as previously posted.
Evan Carslake, a 19-year-old, was last seen near Interstate 29 Highway and NW 64th Street, on June 2, 2009. Evan has not been seen or heard from since. He was driving his blue, 4-door 1997 Honda Accord, Missouri License #CA2-R5N.

Evan is a white male who is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing jeans, a T-shirt and tennis shoes.

Evan takes medication, and his family is concerned for his well-being.

Anyone with information in regard to Evan Carslake's whereabouts is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

Monday, June 8, 2009

Accident closes Heart of America Bridge

UPDATE: The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the hospital at 2:55 p.m. His name has not yet been released.

Original post:
Police are working a serious accident in the northbound lanes of the Heart of America Bridge. At about 2:04 p.m, a motorcycle was travelling northbound on the Heart of America Bridge when the driver looked down and began to swerve. He lost control of the motorcycle and struck the concrete wall on the right side of the roadway. He was transported to an area hospital where he is being treated for life-threatening injuries. He is believed to be a 38-year-old male.

The bridge is expected to be closed to northbound traffic for approximately two hours.

Homicide in 3200 block of Agnes


On June 6, at approximately 11: 41 p.m., officers were called to investigate a shooting in the 3200 block of Agnes. When officers arrived they found a 52-year-old male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The male was transported to an area hospital, where he died from his wounds.

Family members heard what they believed to be gunshots coming from outside the residence when they called police. They found the victim lying in the driveway.

The victim has been positively identified as Ronald E. Whitley of Kansas City, Mo.

Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Friday, June 5, 2009

Click It or Ticket results

PRESS RELEASE:

Kansas City police indeed ticketed those who didn’t click it, issuing 822 seat belt citations during the Click It or Ticket mobilization that took place May 18 to May 31.

KCPD Traffic Unit officers spent a total of 1,200 man hours saturating area roadways during the two-week project looking for traffic and seat belt law violators. The mobilization was funded by a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The following traffic violations were issued during Click It or Ticket:

DWI – 14
Following too Close – 0
Stop Sign Violation – 6
Signal Light Violation – 14
Failure to Yield – 3
Careless Driving – 4
Speed – 1,821
Other Hazardous Moving Violations – 141
Seat Belt – 822
Child Restraint Violations – 7
Other Non-Hazardous Moving Violation– 324
Apprehended Fugitives – 5
Suspended/Revoked License – 26
Insurance Violations – 188

Police conducted a total of 2,670 traffic stops during the two-week Click It or Ticket program.


Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Missing person: Brenda Williams


UPDATE: Police find missing woman

Police located a woman missing since Sunday a little after 9:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4.

Fifty-year-old Brenda L. Williams contacted police from a relative’s home. She told police she left her home about midnight to get something to eat four days earlier when she was forced into her vehicle by two unknown black males in their late teens or early 20s. She reported that the males drove her around in her vehicle – a full-size white van she drove for work – for four days, assaulting her repeatedly. At about 5 p.m. June 4, she said the van was almost out of gas, so the suspects stopped near I-435 and Independence Avenue and ran from the scene. She drove the van home and contacted her family, who later called police. She was treated by MAST ambulance personnel for minor injuries.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about the case should call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
ORIGINAL POST:
Police are searching for a 50-year-old woman who has been missing since Sunday and whose family fears for her safety.

Brenda L. Williams was last seen leaving her place of employment at 12437 Charlotte at about 10 p.m. May 31, reportedly heading for home. She was driving a 2006 Ford E-350 (full-size) window van with Missouri license plate number SB0 P1T that belongs to her employer, Nova Center Inc. She never returned home, and the van has not been seen or returned to the Nova Center. Ms. Williams had permission to use the company's vehicle.

Family members said it is unlike Williams to be gone and have no contact with them, and they fear she could be in danger.

She is a black female with black hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weighs about 170 pounds.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Brenda L. Williams, please call 911 or KCPD’s Missing Persons Section at 816-234-5239.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Missing persons found safe

We're happy to report that both of the people we reported missing yesterday have been found safe. We told you yesterday afternoon that 17-year-old Joslyn Lee was located safely.

And now we know that 71-year-old Cora Lee Pfannenstiel was located at about 12:30 a.m. this morning at an IHOP in Lawrence, Kan., by police there. She was returned to her family in good health.

We're glad for these outcomes.


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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Police seek missing teenager, elderly woman


UPDATE:
Joslyn Lee has been located and is safe. Police received a 911 call from a pay phone at 63rd and Prospect at about 1:36 p.m. today from Joslyn. She has been transported to the Metro Patrol station where she is being questioned about what happened. Police continue to search for Cora Lee Pfannenstiel.
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In unrelated cases, police are looking for a 17-year-old girl was whose car was found abandoned and for a 71-year-old woman who may suffer from Alzheimer’s.

17-year-old Joslyn Lee
Joslyn N. Lee is from Raytown, Mo. She was last seen when she drove a family member to an area around 169 Highway and Barry Road at around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. Detectives said it was a sudden decision to drive the relative, and Joslyn left wearing no shoes.

Family members became worried when Joslyn did not return home. A relative found her white Chevy pick-up on the side of 71 Highway near 55th Street at about 7:20 a.m. today.

Joslyn is a black female with black hair and brown eyes. She is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. She was last seen wearing a lime green T-shirt with gray cotton capri pants and no shoes.

71-year-old Cora Lee Pfannenstiel
Cora Lee Pfannensteil was last seen by her family at about 2 p.m. Monday, June 1. She was leaving the 200 block of West Armour Blvd. and heading for a bank at Westport and Broadway. Family members have not seen her since. They are concerned about her welfare because she may be suffering from Alzheimer’s and appear confused.

Cora Lee was last seen driving a 2005 silver Chevy Malibu with Kansas license plates from Ellis County.

She is a white female who is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Joslyn Lee or Cora Lee Pfannenstiel, please call 911 or KCPD’s Missing Persons Section at 816-234-5239.

Monday, June 1, 2009

New Red Light Safety Cameras operational today

Remember that four more Kansas City intersections will have Red Light Safety Cameras going operational today, June 1. Those intersections are:

* North Oak Trafficway and Vivion Road
* N.W. 68th Street and U.S. 169 Highway
* Winner Road and I-435
* 23rd Street and I-435

There will be no warning period for these cameras. Violations captured by these cameras will be issued immediately.

These cameras are in addition to those already operating at the following intersections:
* 39th Street and Southwest Trafficway
* W. 79th Street and Wornall Road
* E. 63rd Street and Prospect Avenue
* 39th and Main streets
* E. 19th and Walnut streets
* 27th Street and Southwest Trafficway
* U.S. 71 Highway (Bruce R. Watkins Drive) and 55th Street
* U.S. 71 Highway (Bruce R. Watkins Drive) and 59th Street
* U.S. 71 Highway (Bruce R. Watkins Drive) and Gregory Boulevard

For more information on the program, visit
http://www.kcmo.org/pubworks.nsf/web/rlc_main?opendocument