The
Area Command Unit marked an impressive accomplishment last night: it took its
200th illegal gun off the street.
I
activated the Area Command Unit on January 1, 2013. The unit was tasked
with the primary goals of targeting active, violent criminals involved in
firearm violations and suppressing violent crime. In addition to the
target objectives, the Area Command Unit works collaboratively with all
department units to continually stay aware of active criminal elements in the
city. The unit is aggressive in its efforts to seek out these elements and
pursue successful prosecution of individuals found to be violating laws, with a
concentrated focus on illegal firearms. The Area Command Unit also serves as
the primary enforcement arm of the Kansas City No Violence Alliance (KC NoVA).
Last
night, Area Command Unit officers did a “knock and talk” at a house in the 4100
block of Monroe, where officers conducting surveillance previously had seen
guns being sold in the front yard. The resident consented to let officers
search part of his house except for one room, and the officers then got a
warrant to search that room. They recovered five guns, ammunition and
magazines. They were illegal because the resident is a convicted felon, and
felons are prevented from possessing firearms or ammunition by federal law.
Those
five guns brought the Area Command Unit’s total of illegal weapons taken off
the street this year to 200. Illegal weapons are used in a significant amount
of the city’s violent crime, and now there are 200 that can’t be.
We
initially activated the Area Command Unit within the boundaries of the East
Patrol Division, then expanded to Central and Metro patrol divisions in
March. The Area Command Unit consists of three Squads, made up of six
officers, one detective and a sergeant. The Unit also has an operations sergeant
and is commanded by a captain who reports to the Patrol Bureau. I look forward
to seeing more of their great work in 2014.
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