We will implement our Plaza patrol plan this weekend to ensure everyone can safely enjoy the city’s most venerable entertainment and retail district.
The past two years, as the weather warmed up, hundreds of youth congregated on the Country Club Plaza. The crowds sometimes broke out into violence and intimidated Plaza visitors. We will not tolerate this. We will arrest juveniles for any criminal offenses and curfew violations.
We will have additional officers on the Plaza this weekend and every weekend through the fall. Most of these officers are on special over-time assignments, so police presence in the rest of the city will not be affected. Plaza management also is hiring additional off-duty KCPD officers and augmenting their private security. Mounted Patrol officers will be present on horseback. They have proved to be highly effective at crowd control. Officers on ATVs and a Tactical Team also will have a presence. Plain-clothes, under-cover officers also will be out, looking for signs of trouble.
A separate detention area for juveniles who are arrested will be set up and operated in a police facility.
At present, the curfew is 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends for anyone younger than 18. Those will become earlier in the summer: the Friday before Memorial Day through the last Sunday in September. In entertainment districts like the Plaza, the curfew will be 9 p.m. in the summer. In the rest of the city, the curfew will be 10 p.m. for those 15 and younger, and 11 p.m. for 16-and 17-year-olds. Parents will be issued citations for the curfew violations of their children.
We have sent letters to area schools asking them to remind parents that they are responsible for their children’s actions. Parents need to know their children’s friends and the parents of their friends. They need to know where their children are and what they are doing. They need to be monitoring their children’s social networks.
We ask parents, teachers and even young people to alert police if they hear about a large gathering being planned. Police will be monitoring social networks, as well.
Ultimately, youth congregating into unruly crowds in entertainment districts isn’t a police issue. It is a parenting and community issue. So we ask for the cooperation of parents and the community to make these entertainment districts the enjoyable places they were intended to be.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
Showing posts with label parents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parents. Show all posts
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Monday, April 11, 2011
Community, parents must work together to avoid another "Plaza mob" incident
As the weather warms, the problem of big groups of juveniles gathering on the Country Club Plaza is coming forth again. This past weekend, there were large numbers of young people dropped off at the Cinemark movie theater, but they didn’t go in. They simply congregated and loitered. Fortunately, there also was a large police presence, and no incidents were reported. However, we want to avoid what happened this time last year.
As you may recall, last year hundreds of juveniles gathered on the Plaza and intimidated patrons, nearly shut down several businesses and erupted in violence.
Following that incident, police enacted a crowd control plan and convened a youth summit with urban-core teens and city leaders. They met at Police Headquarters. This summit sought to identify why young people gathered at the Plaza, why they became unruly and what alternative activities they could engage in. The findings were turned over to the City’s youth advocate, and a City Council member agreed to spearhead the project. But little has been done since last year to provide an alternative for these young people.
The issue is rearing its head again, however, and many are coming to police looking for answers. But this is not a police issue. It is a community issue and a parenting issue. The mission of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, in partnership with the community, is to protect life and property while reducing fear and disorder. It is not to sponsor activities for youth or ensure parents are supervising them properly. At about this time last year, we sent out a plea to parents reminding them of curfew laws and making them aware that we would be enforcing them. We also asked them not to just drop off their children and leave. A police officer and theater manager even were passing out fliers this past weekend to parents dropping off their kids, informing them of when the theater closed and curfew information.
While this is not a police problem, we’d like to be part of the solution. The solution ultimately will involve many facets: concerned parents, youth advocates, ministers, educators and others who care about the future of youth in this city. Feel free to e-mail any ideas you have to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org or contact your elected officials.
As you may recall, last year hundreds of juveniles gathered on the Plaza and intimidated patrons, nearly shut down several businesses and erupted in violence.
Following that incident, police enacted a crowd control plan and convened a youth summit with urban-core teens and city leaders. They met at Police Headquarters. This summit sought to identify why young people gathered at the Plaza, why they became unruly and what alternative activities they could engage in. The findings were turned over to the City’s youth advocate, and a City Council member agreed to spearhead the project. But little has been done since last year to provide an alternative for these young people.
The issue is rearing its head again, however, and many are coming to police looking for answers. But this is not a police issue. It is a community issue and a parenting issue. The mission of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, in partnership with the community, is to protect life and property while reducing fear and disorder. It is not to sponsor activities for youth or ensure parents are supervising them properly. At about this time last year, we sent out a plea to parents reminding them of curfew laws and making them aware that we would be enforcing them. We also asked them not to just drop off their children and leave. A police officer and theater manager even were passing out fliers this past weekend to parents dropping off their kids, informing them of when the theater closed and curfew information.
While this is not a police problem, we’d like to be part of the solution. The solution ultimately will involve many facets: concerned parents, youth advocates, ministers, educators and others who care about the future of youth in this city. Feel free to e-mail any ideas you have to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org or contact your elected officials.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Come meet your police department, and trick or treat with us, too!
The Kansas City Missouri Police Department has a couple of safe, fun ways for you and your family to celebrate Halloween this weekend.
The first is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 30, at Central High School, 3221 Indiana Ave. This fun, family affair will give you the opportunity to meet KCPD's mounted patrol and canine officers, check out the helicopter, learn about the CSI Unit, eat free lunch, and more. Also, children are encouraged to come in their Halloween costumes and trick or treat! Candy will be available at the different stations.
Speaking of trick-or-treating, KCPD's North and Shoal Creek patrol divisions are joining Northland Neighborhoods Inc. to present the Spooktacular Halloween Safe Trick-or-Treat event and haunted house from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, at Metro North Mall (400 NW Barry Road - the southwest entrance by JC Penney). The is the sixth year we've done this event, and it's always a big hit. There will be a haunted house, haunted forest, LOTS of candy, popcorn, games, and a picture-taking area. Go to Northland Neighborhood Inc.'s web site for more information. Here are some pictures from last year's Safe Trick-or-Treat.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
The first is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 30, at Central High School, 3221 Indiana Ave. This fun, family affair will give you the opportunity to meet KCPD's mounted patrol and canine officers, check out the helicopter, learn about the CSI Unit, eat free lunch, and more. Also, children are encouraged to come in their Halloween costumes and trick or treat! Candy will be available at the different stations.
Speaking of trick-or-treating, KCPD's North and Shoal Creek patrol divisions are joining Northland Neighborhoods Inc. to present the Spooktacular Halloween Safe Trick-or-Treat event and haunted house from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, at Metro North Mall (400 NW Barry Road - the southwest entrance by JC Penney). The is the sixth year we've done this event, and it's always a big hit. There will be a haunted house, haunted forest, LOTS of candy, popcorn, games, and a picture-taking area. Go to Northland Neighborhood Inc.'s web site for more information. Here are some pictures from last year's Safe Trick-or-Treat.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Agencies come together to save newborn babies
PRESS RELEASE:
Kansas City-area police departments, fire departments, health departments, hospitals and social service agencies are banding together to protect newborn babies.
These agencies have worked together to develop a metro-wide Safe Havens for Newborns community awareness campaign. They launched the bi-state campaign with a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, in the parking lot west of Ward Parkway Center at 87th Street and State Line Road. Featured speakers at the event included Kansas City Police Chief James Corwin, Leawood Fire Chief Ben Florance, and Florida’s Safe Haven for Newborns founder Nick Silverio.
Both Missouri and Kansas have passed laws designed to protect newborn children from injury and death caused by abandonment. Missouri’s law passed in 2002, and Kansas’ law passed in 2006. But little has been done to educate the public about the laws or notify parents about where they can safely hand over their baby without fear of prosecution. As a result of the Safe Havens initiative, there are now Safe Havens signs available to all Safe Haven agencies in the Kansas City area to post near each building’s entrance.
In Missouri, infants 5 days old or younger can be handed over to an employee at a hospital, police station, fire station or ambulance station. In Kansas, infants 45 days old or younger can be handed to an employee at a fire station, hospital, or city or county health department. The law is intended to protect newborn babies from being abandoned or harmed by their unprepared parents.
Organizers of the Safe Haven initiative believe it could prevent cases like that of a 25-year-old Overland Park woman who gave birth to a baby girl in her parents’ basement on May 31, 2009. She was accused of killing the newborn by asphyxiation and then putting the baby’s body in a refrigerator. She was convicted of second-degree murder in April 2010. Her parents’ home was three blocks from a fire station, where she could safely have handed over the baby and faced no legal repercussions.
The press conference featured 148 pink and blue balloons representing every life saved by the Safe Haven for Newborns program launched by Nick Silverio in Florida. Silverio has been integral to helping the Kansas City metro area replicate the program. Press conference attendees took a balloon or two with them to remind them throughout the day of the difference the Safe Havens program can make.
And here are my remarks from today's press conference, along with some photos:
We at the Kansas City Missouri Police Department were eager to support the Safe Havens program from the get-go. It just makes sense, and it protects the most innocent among us.
In Missouri, you can hand over your newborn baby – up to 5 days old – to an employee at a police station, fire station, ambulance station or hospital. For women who are in crisis and are ready to abandon or harm their babies, this is the best possible option. If the baby has not been neglected or abused, parents will face no legal repercussions for handing it over to someone at a Safe Haven. The baby will receive a physical examination, loving care and a brand new chance at life.
The law in Missouri has been in effect for nearly eight years, but hardly anyone knew about it. We’re here today to change that. I hope that from this day forward, no baby in the Kansas City metropolitan area will be hurt or abandoned because its parents are too ashamed or unable to care for it. There are people out there who do care: police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and doctors and nurses.
All of these people are gathered here today on State Line Road to say we will provide safe places for unwanted newborns across the metropolitan area. Signs like the ones you see here are now at all Kansas City Missouri Police stations and at Headquarters.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
Kansas City-area police departments, fire departments, health departments, hospitals and social service agencies are banding together to protect newborn babies.
These agencies have worked together to develop a metro-wide Safe Havens for Newborns community awareness campaign. They launched the bi-state campaign with a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, in the parking lot west of Ward Parkway Center at 87th Street and State Line Road. Featured speakers at the event included Kansas City Police Chief James Corwin, Leawood Fire Chief Ben Florance, and Florida’s Safe Haven for Newborns founder Nick Silverio.
Both Missouri and Kansas have passed laws designed to protect newborn children from injury and death caused by abandonment. Missouri’s law passed in 2002, and Kansas’ law passed in 2006. But little has been done to educate the public about the laws or notify parents about where they can safely hand over their baby without fear of prosecution. As a result of the Safe Havens initiative, there are now Safe Havens signs available to all Safe Haven agencies in the Kansas City area to post near each building’s entrance.
In Missouri, infants 5 days old or younger can be handed over to an employee at a hospital, police station, fire station or ambulance station. In Kansas, infants 45 days old or younger can be handed to an employee at a fire station, hospital, or city or county health department. The law is intended to protect newborn babies from being abandoned or harmed by their unprepared parents.
Organizers of the Safe Haven initiative believe it could prevent cases like that of a 25-year-old Overland Park woman who gave birth to a baby girl in her parents’ basement on May 31, 2009. She was accused of killing the newborn by asphyxiation and then putting the baby’s body in a refrigerator. She was convicted of second-degree murder in April 2010. Her parents’ home was three blocks from a fire station, where she could safely have handed over the baby and faced no legal repercussions.
The press conference featured 148 pink and blue balloons representing every life saved by the Safe Haven for Newborns program launched by Nick Silverio in Florida. Silverio has been integral to helping the Kansas City metro area replicate the program. Press conference attendees took a balloon or two with them to remind them throughout the day of the difference the Safe Havens program can make.
And here are my remarks from today's press conference, along with some photos:
In Missouri, you can hand over your newborn baby – up to 5 days old – to an employee at a police station, fire station, ambulance station or hospital. For women who are in crisis and are ready to abandon or harm their babies, this is the best possible option. If the baby has not been neglected or abused, parents will face no legal repercussions for handing it over to someone at a Safe Haven. The baby will receive a physical examination, loving care and a brand new chance at life.
The law in Missouri has been in effect for nearly eight years, but hardly anyone knew about it. We’re here today to change that. I hope that from this day forward, no baby in the Kansas City metropolitan area will be hurt or abandoned because its parents are too ashamed or unable to care for it. There are people out there who do care: police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and doctors and nurses.
All of these people are gathered here today on State Line Road to say we will provide safe places for unwanted newborns across the metropolitan area. Signs like the ones you see here are now at all Kansas City Missouri Police stations and at Headquarters.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Help us find this child's family
UPDATE: The boy's family has been located. He lives in the apartment complex, and it appears he wandered outside when his babysitter fell asleep. Police continue to investigate the incident, and no charges have been filed at this time. Thanks for your assistance.
Officers have been unsuccessful locating his family and/or home. He is a black male, about 2 to 3 years old, wearing a blue shirt, blue and white-checkered shorts and brown sandals. If you recognize the child and know his family, please call the East Patrol Division at 816-234-5530 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Police ask parents to help
PRESS RELEASE:
After recent events of large congregations of unruly juveniles, Kansas City Police want to remind parents about local laws and tips for ensuring your child doesn’t get caught up in illegal activity.
Laws
• Curfew for children under the age of 18 is Midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
• If there is a curfew violation, the juvenile will be detained, and a parent or guardian must respond to pick them up, and the parent will be issued a citation.
Tips
• Know your child’s social network. Monitor their Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or other social media accounts and watch what they’re texting.
• Parents should be aware of a new trend called “Flash Mobs.” This is when a large group gathers quickly – usually through the use of social media. Sometimes it can be for something fun like a choreographed public dance, but more recently, it has been for the purpose of causing chaos by stampeding, assaulting bystanders, and damaging property. This can be a very dangerous event and a public safety issue for young persons.
• When dropping your child off, it is your responsibility to know where they are going and what they are doing.
Kansas City Police will have a large presence on the Country Club Plaza this weekend and will strictly enforce all municipal and state laws. The police response will be mobile in case an unruly crowd congregates elsewhere in the city.
If you hear of a group organizing an event that could get out of hand, please call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
After recent events of large congregations of unruly juveniles, Kansas City Police want to remind parents about local laws and tips for ensuring your child doesn’t get caught up in illegal activity.
Laws
• Curfew for children under the age of 18 is Midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
• If there is a curfew violation, the juvenile will be detained, and a parent or guardian must respond to pick them up, and the parent will be issued a citation.
Tips
• Know your child’s social network. Monitor their Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or other social media accounts and watch what they’re texting.
• Parents should be aware of a new trend called “Flash Mobs.” This is when a large group gathers quickly – usually through the use of social media. Sometimes it can be for something fun like a choreographed public dance, but more recently, it has been for the purpose of causing chaos by stampeding, assaulting bystanders, and damaging property. This can be a very dangerous event and a public safety issue for young persons.
• When dropping your child off, it is your responsibility to know where they are going and what they are doing.
Kansas City Police will have a large presence on the Country Club Plaza this weekend and will strictly enforce all municipal and state laws. The police response will be mobile in case an unruly crowd congregates elsewhere in the city.
If you hear of a group organizing an event that could get out of hand, please call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
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