A Kansas City Police officer and his family lost nearly everything Sunday when a fire destroyed their Northland home. In addition to the house itself, the home's contents were destroyed, including the cars in the garage. The officer, his wife, their four school-age children and pet dog all escaped uninjured, but with little more than the clothes on their backs.
A fund has been established at the Kansas City Police Credit Union to help the family get back on their feet. If you'd like to donate, simply go to any KCPCU branch (here are the locations) and say you'd like to give to the Wells Family Benefit Account.
Thanks for your support.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Police seek man missing since May 13
Police are looking for 26-year-old Genaro I. Garcia-Uranga, who was last seen at about 11 a.m. on May 13, 2010, leaving 6218 E. 16th St. The car he left in was found June 1 at 110 N. White. His family is concerned for his safety.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Neighborhood roll calls
Since last year, we’ve made a point to get our patrol officers out into the community to meet the people they serve outside of their normal contacts responding to 911 calls. I wanted to tell you about their efforts so in case you have gotten the chance yet, you can meet the police who patrol your neighborhood.
Our six patrol divisions all do them differently. Even the different shifts at each division are reaching out to different people. They call them different things, too – community roll calls, front porch roll calls, neighborhood roll calls – but the purpose is the same: to learn about what issues concern you, get to know you, and find out how we can serve you better. Captain Helen Schultz of the Shoal Creek Patrol Division put it very well: “We have had great success with these roll calls and have been given some very valuable information. In addition, we make sure the residents are given a contact person to address any new problems as they arise.”
Below are what some of the different patrol divisions are doing and some upcoming events where you can meet your officers (for more information on any of these, contact the Community Interaction Officer at your division):
Central Patrol
Officers attend many of the regular neighborhood association meetings to address residents’ concerns. Each shift attends one of these meetings every month, and as many officers as possible come. Commanders sometimes attend, as well. Residents can tell their concerns directly to the officers and work with them to resolve neighborhood issues.
Upcoming meetings police are scheduled to attend:
Volker Neighborhood Association – 7 p.m. June 10, 1700 Westport Road
Volker Watch Association – 6 p.m. June 13, 1700 Westport Road
East Patrol
East Patrol is focusing on conducting roll calls at businesses in the historic Northeast neighborhood. They’re using officers who have graduated from the department’s Spanish Immersion program to converse with Hispanic business owners and customers of those businesses about problems they’re facing. They even set up a Spanish-language hotline for residents to leave tips if they’re scared to do so through other means. The number for that is 816-482-8531. You can read more about these efforts here.
Metro Patrol
Metro Patrol officers on all shifts also are attending neighborhood and community meetings to get to know the people they serve and deliver crime prevention advice. Their last one was at the Southeast Caring Coalition meeting on May 25, and more are coming up.
Upcoming meetings police are scheduled to attend:
CPAC (Community Policing Action Cooperative) Meeting – 4 p.m. July 15, 6814 Troost
North Patrol
The North Patrol Division is home to many apartment communities, and officers there have recently focused on getting to know those residents. They attend traditional neighborhood meetings, as well, but coming to apartment complexes has allowed them to meet residents they otherwise wouldn’t. Officer Don Smarker told me, “The response has been really good, and the apartment community residents have liked being recognized as a neighborhood.” The officers tailor their presentations to the communities they’re addressing. For example, one apartment community’s residents had complained about unattended children on the property, so the officers discussed the responsibilities of parents at the meeting. They also share information about neighborhood crime trends, how to avoid being a victim and even when to call 911 as opposed to using another resource. The North Patrol commanders have been to almost all of these meetings, as well, and more are coming up.
South Patrol
In addition to two high-profile events in parks last summer and fall in which SPD officers set up command posts to meet with residents, officers having been beating streets all over south Kansas City to get to know people and teach them about crime prevention. They’ve gone to grocery and convenience stores, greeting people and passing out crime prevention fliers. They’ve hosted safety socials at apartment complexes in conjunction with our Crime Free Multi-Housing Program. They’ve also visited businesses to hear the concerns of business owners and their employees. As South Patrol Officer Mike Hammer says, “It’s a way to be more accessible to the community. Any more we’re stuck in our cars, and this is a way to get out and get to know the community.”
Shoal Creek Patrol
Like the North Patrol Division, the Shoal Creek Patrol Division also houses a lot of apartment communities, and officers on the day shift are making it a point to meet with these residents. The meeting scheduled below is a continuation of these efforts.
Officers and sergeants on the PM shift (late afternoons and evenings) are going into the residential areas, parking their cars and walking around, chatting with people mowing their lawns, out for a jog or anyone they come across. (During the winter months, they meet with residents at neighborhood and community organizations’ meetings.) They’re learning a lot and are even helping residents address quality of life issues with other city departments – things like un-mowed residences and foliage blocking stop signs. Afterward, the officers meet up to share the information they learned talking to residents and come up with action plans for any problems. They return to the neighborhoods periodically to see if the problems are getting resolved.
Upcoming meetings police are scheduled to attend:
Front Porch Roll Call – 9 a.m. June 11, Wild Oak Apartments clubhouse, 7897 NE Flintlock
Our officers are working hard to build relationships with the residents of Kansas City, so please come to one of the meetings where they’re scheduled to be or stop and chat when you see them out and about.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org
Our six patrol divisions all do them differently. Even the different shifts at each division are reaching out to different people. They call them different things, too – community roll calls, front porch roll calls, neighborhood roll calls – but the purpose is the same: to learn about what issues concern you, get to know you, and find out how we can serve you better. Captain Helen Schultz of the Shoal Creek Patrol Division put it very well: “We have had great success with these roll calls and have been given some very valuable information. In addition, we make sure the residents are given a contact person to address any new problems as they arise.”
Below are what some of the different patrol divisions are doing and some upcoming events where you can meet your officers (for more information on any of these, contact the Community Interaction Officer at your division):
Central Patrol
Officers attend many of the regular neighborhood association meetings to address residents’ concerns. Each shift attends one of these meetings every month, and as many officers as possible come. Commanders sometimes attend, as well. Residents can tell their concerns directly to the officers and work with them to resolve neighborhood issues.
Upcoming meetings police are scheduled to attend:
Volker Neighborhood Association – 7 p.m. June 10, 1700 Westport Road
Volker Watch Association – 6 p.m. June 13, 1700 Westport Road
East Patrol
East Patrol is focusing on conducting roll calls at businesses in the historic Northeast neighborhood. They’re using officers who have graduated from the department’s Spanish Immersion program to converse with Hispanic business owners and customers of those businesses about problems they’re facing. They even set up a Spanish-language hotline for residents to leave tips if they’re scared to do so through other means. The number for that is 816-482-8531. You can read more about these efforts here.
Metro Patrol
Metro Patrol officers on all shifts also are attending neighborhood and community meetings to get to know the people they serve and deliver crime prevention advice. Their last one was at the Southeast Caring Coalition meeting on May 25, and more are coming up.
Upcoming meetings police are scheduled to attend:
CPAC (Community Policing Action Cooperative) Meeting – 4 p.m. July 15, 6814 Troost
North Patrol
The North Patrol Division is home to many apartment communities, and officers there have recently focused on getting to know those residents. They attend traditional neighborhood meetings, as well, but coming to apartment complexes has allowed them to meet residents they otherwise wouldn’t. Officer Don Smarker told me, “The response has been really good, and the apartment community residents have liked being recognized as a neighborhood.” The officers tailor their presentations to the communities they’re addressing. For example, one apartment community’s residents had complained about unattended children on the property, so the officers discussed the responsibilities of parents at the meeting. They also share information about neighborhood crime trends, how to avoid being a victim and even when to call 911 as opposed to using another resource. The North Patrol commanders have been to almost all of these meetings, as well, and more are coming up.
South Patrol
In addition to two high-profile events in parks last summer and fall in which SPD officers set up command posts to meet with residents, officers having been beating streets all over south Kansas City to get to know people and teach them about crime prevention. They’ve gone to grocery and convenience stores, greeting people and passing out crime prevention fliers. They’ve hosted safety socials at apartment complexes in conjunction with our Crime Free Multi-Housing Program. They’ve also visited businesses to hear the concerns of business owners and their employees. As South Patrol Officer Mike Hammer says, “It’s a way to be more accessible to the community. Any more we’re stuck in our cars, and this is a way to get out and get to know the community.”
Shoal Creek Patrol
Like the North Patrol Division, the Shoal Creek Patrol Division also houses a lot of apartment communities, and officers on the day shift are making it a point to meet with these residents. The meeting scheduled below is a continuation of these efforts.
Officers and sergeants on the PM shift (late afternoons and evenings) are going into the residential areas, parking their cars and walking around, chatting with people mowing their lawns, out for a jog or anyone they come across. (During the winter months, they meet with residents at neighborhood and community organizations’ meetings.) They’re learning a lot and are even helping residents address quality of life issues with other city departments – things like un-mowed residences and foliage blocking stop signs. Afterward, the officers meet up to share the information they learned talking to residents and come up with action plans for any problems. They return to the neighborhoods periodically to see if the problems are getting resolved.
Upcoming meetings police are scheduled to attend:
Front Porch Roll Call – 9 a.m. June 11, Wild Oak Apartments clubhouse, 7897 NE Flintlock
Our officers are working hard to build relationships with the residents of Kansas City, so please come to one of the meetings where they’re scheduled to be or stop and chat when you see them out and about.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org
Friday, June 4, 2010
More driver's license checkpoint results
Police conducted another driver's license checkpoint yesterday afternoon and evening. This one was at 9603 Blue Ridge Blvd. Northbound cars were checked before Bannister Road. Police have previously responded to a high number of alcohol-related crashes at the intersection of Blue Ridge and Bannister and along the roads themselves.
A total of 1,270 cars were checked for operators' licenses. Fifty-four of them were driving with revoked licenses or no license at all. Here's how the numbers broke down for arrests and citations:
Total cars stopped: 1,270
Driving while revoked: 17 (2 of whom were persistent offenders)
No operator's license: 37
Other citations: 7
Warrants cleared: 39
Due to the high number of arrests, officers let a total of 609 cars pass through. Officers and sergeants working the checkpoint said feedback was very positive. Several of the stopped drivers even thanked them for doing the operation.
More of these checkpoints are scheduled in the future.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org
A total of 1,270 cars were checked for operators' licenses. Fifty-four of them were driving with revoked licenses or no license at all. Here's how the numbers broke down for arrests and citations:
Total cars stopped: 1,270
Driving while revoked: 17 (2 of whom were persistent offenders)
No operator's license: 37
Other citations: 7
Warrants cleared: 39
Due to the high number of arrests, officers let a total of 609 cars pass through. Officers and sergeants working the checkpoint said feedback was very positive. Several of the stopped drivers even thanked them for doing the operation.
More of these checkpoints are scheduled in the future.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org
Some fun fund-raisers for KCPD programs this weekend
Two non-profit groups that support KCPD and area youth are presenting some fun fund-raisers this weekend I wanted to let you know about.
Police Athletic League (PAL) Motorcycle Rally
Registration for the PAL Motorcycle Rally starts at 8 a.m. tomorrow, June 5, at the PAL Center, 1801 White Ave. Proceeds from this event will benefit the PAL Youth Boxing Program to send six boxers to the National PAL Boxing Tournament in October 2010. This is a great program for urban-core kids to put their energy and strength into something that helps them develop skill and discipline.
The first bikes will leave the PAL Center at about 9 a.m. Suggested donations are $30 for riders and $20 for passengers. The event will begin and end at the PAL Center after making three stops in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. If you have questions about the event, e-mail Officer Shawnie Nix at shawnie.nix@kcpd.org or Sergeant Martin Cobbinah at martin.cobbinah@kcpd.org.
Friends of the Kansas City Mounted Patrol Disc Golf Tournament
Also on Saturday morning will be the Second Annual Disc Golf Tourney sponsored by the Friends of the Kansas City Mounted Patrol, a nonprofit group that supports our Mounted Patrol Unit. Some of the things they've done in the past include buying riot gear for horses, paying for the officers to attend training from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, barn updates, unexpected medical care for the horses and other things the Department wouldn't otherwise be able to afford.
If you prefer Frisbee to motorcycles, this event is the place for you. The Disc Golf Tournament starts with registration at 8 a.m. at the Thornfield Disc Golf Course at 6701 W. 167th St. in Stilwell, Kan. A shotgun start will take place at 9 a.m. An entry fee of $200 for a 4-person team includes a disc golf pro and lunch. Individual golfers can enter for $50, which includes lunch. There will be awards for the 4-person ProAm Scramble 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams, as well as individual contests. Practice holes are available prior to the 9 a.m. shotgun start. Other activities will include kids’ games, disc golf demonstrations, a silent auction and an opportunity to meet the Mounted Patrol officers and horses. The event will feature a demonstration by the Mounted Patrol. Special presentations and awards will be hosted by Larry Moore of KMBC Channel 9.
Thanks for your support of the programs of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department!
Police Athletic League (PAL) Motorcycle Rally
Registration for the PAL Motorcycle Rally starts at 8 a.m. tomorrow, June 5, at the PAL Center, 1801 White Ave. Proceeds from this event will benefit the PAL Youth Boxing Program to send six boxers to the National PAL Boxing Tournament in October 2010. This is a great program for urban-core kids to put their energy and strength into something that helps them develop skill and discipline.
The first bikes will leave the PAL Center at about 9 a.m. Suggested donations are $30 for riders and $20 for passengers. The event will begin and end at the PAL Center after making three stops in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. If you have questions about the event, e-mail Officer Shawnie Nix at shawnie.nix@kcpd.org or Sergeant Martin Cobbinah at martin.cobbinah@kcpd.org.
Friends of the Kansas City Mounted Patrol Disc Golf Tournament
Also on Saturday morning will be the Second Annual Disc Golf Tourney sponsored by the Friends of the Kansas City Mounted Patrol, a nonprofit group that supports our Mounted Patrol Unit. Some of the things they've done in the past include buying riot gear for horses, paying for the officers to attend training from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, barn updates, unexpected medical care for the horses and other things the Department wouldn't otherwise be able to afford.
If you prefer Frisbee to motorcycles, this event is the place for you. The Disc Golf Tournament starts with registration at 8 a.m. at the Thornfield Disc Golf Course at 6701 W. 167th St. in Stilwell, Kan. A shotgun start will take place at 9 a.m. An entry fee of $200 for a 4-person team includes a disc golf pro and lunch. Individual golfers can enter for $50, which includes lunch. There will be awards for the 4-person ProAm Scramble 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams, as well as individual contests. Practice holes are available prior to the 9 a.m. shotgun start. Other activities will include kids’ games, disc golf demonstrations, a silent auction and an opportunity to meet the Mounted Patrol officers and horses. The event will feature a demonstration by the Mounted Patrol. Special presentations and awards will be hosted by Larry Moore of KMBC Channel 9.
Thanks for your support of the programs of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Explosion at 17th and Grand
At approximately 1 p.m. today, officers were called to 17th and Grand on an explosion.
Officers responded and contacted witnesses. Witnesses said they observed a man put an unknown item in the metal yellow clothing donation box in the parking lot of the Valero station. The man walked away and shortly after a large explosion was heard.
KCPD's Bomb and Arson detectives and KCFD are on scene investigating. Sixteenth to 18th Streets on Grand are closed.
No injuries have been reported.
Officers responded and contacted witnesses. Witnesses said they observed a man put an unknown item in the metal yellow clothing donation box in the parking lot of the Valero station. The man walked away and shortly after a large explosion was heard.
KCPD's Bomb and Arson detectives and KCFD are on scene investigating. Sixteenth to 18th Streets on Grand are closed.
No injuries have been reported.
Police seek man missing since Tuesday
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.
Man charged with murder in death of 21-year-old in 8600 block of Thompson
Victim, Darrell Dancy
Suspect, Michael Thompson
Urban legends of gang initiations
You may have gotten an e-mail or seen a flier about supposed "gang initiations" in Kansas City. These e-mails and fliers are particularly directed at women and warn them against eggs on their windshield or carseats with baby dolls in them on the side of the road. They say if you stop and get out of your car to inspect, gang wannabes or robbers will attack you, and they say these things are happening in Kansas City. THIS IS NOT TRUE.
I spoke with the supervisor of our Gang Squad, and he told me nothing of the sort is happening in the Kansas City metropolitan area. There have been absolutely no reports of anyone getting robbed or raped or beaten after they stopped to wipe egg off their windshield or to inspect a carseat left on the side of the road. (Nor have we heard of any eggs on moving cars or carseats with fake babies in them on roadways.) He said variations on this urban legend include criminals hiding underneath cars to attack women or preying on women at Wal-Mart stores. Other messages say criminals play a recording of a baby crying outside a woman's window to lure her out to attack her.
None of these things are true, but for some reason or another, people continue to forward them to others and incite unfounded fear and paranoia. Members of our department have fielded many questions about these urban legends recently, and I want to let you know once and for all that they're not true. If there is a significant threat to the safety of the public or a particular crime pattern, I can assure you that KCPD will get the word out about it as quickly as possible. In the mean time, if you see a message about any of the afore-mentioned "gang initiation" tactics, simply delete it or throw it away.
For more information about likely hoaxes, the web site http://www.snopes.com/ has a whole section about urban legends of gang activity.
As always, however, we urge everyone to be alert and aware of their surroundings and to call police if you feel unsafe.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org
I spoke with the supervisor of our Gang Squad, and he told me nothing of the sort is happening in the Kansas City metropolitan area. There have been absolutely no reports of anyone getting robbed or raped or beaten after they stopped to wipe egg off their windshield or to inspect a carseat left on the side of the road. (Nor have we heard of any eggs on moving cars or carseats with fake babies in them on roadways.) He said variations on this urban legend include criminals hiding underneath cars to attack women or preying on women at Wal-Mart stores. Other messages say criminals play a recording of a baby crying outside a woman's window to lure her out to attack her.
None of these things are true, but for some reason or another, people continue to forward them to others and incite unfounded fear and paranoia. Members of our department have fielded many questions about these urban legends recently, and I want to let you know once and for all that they're not true. If there is a significant threat to the safety of the public or a particular crime pattern, I can assure you that KCPD will get the word out about it as quickly as possible. In the mean time, if you see a message about any of the afore-mentioned "gang initiation" tactics, simply delete it or throw it away.
For more information about likely hoaxes, the web site http://www.snopes.com/ has a whole section about urban legends of gang activity.
As always, however, we urge everyone to be alert and aware of their surroundings and to call police if you feel unsafe.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org
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