Recent homicide victims idenfitied

Three people were killed in Kansas City since this time last week, and we need your help identifying their murderers.

May 10: At about 8:30 p.m., officers were called to the 6600 block of Monroe and found 24-year-old Maurice D. Clark of Kansas City, Mo., outside an apartment building. He was pronounced dead a short time later. Witnesses said Clark, two other males and a female were walking down the street when a black male suspect shot Clark and fled on foot.

May 11: Officers went to 39th and Chestnut on a shooting call at about 3:45 a.m. They found 33-year-old Jeannette M. Carroll of Kansas City, Mo., dead. A witness said Carroll was arguing with a black man about 40 years old before being shot. The suspect fled in a black Ford Explorer.

May 15: At 3:22 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 9300 block of Bales on a shooting. They found 29-year-old Sorie Mansaray of Kansas City, Mo., dead in the grass outside an apartment building. Police found a handgun nearby and have little other suspect information.

These are Kansas City's 29th, 30th and 31st homicides in 2011 compared to 38 at this time last year and 42 at this time in 2009. Please help us solve them. If you have any information about them, call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Another homicide took place May 12 at Bledsoe's Rentals at 50th and Prospect. David Bledsoe, 50, was shot and killed at his business. Detectives have three people in custody for that killing, and charges are expected soon.

Police retirement system is responsible, well-managed

I wrote the below as an As I See It column that was published in today's Kansas City Star:

Recent editorials and columns in the Kansas City Star proclaim the need for public pension reform in Kansas City. These articles left out some important information about the Kansas City Police Employees’ Retirement System (KCPERS) for sworn officers. The Board of Police Commissioners and I strongly stand behind our retirement system and ask you to consider some of the below facts.

Police officers contribute 10.55 percent of every paycheck to KCPERS. That is more than many other public employees pay: According to their respective web sites, Alabama teachers contribute just 5 percent of their salary to their pension system, New Jersey police and firefighters contribute 8.5 percent, and Ohio police and firefighters contribute 10 percent. Missouri just began requiring new state employees in 2010 to contribute to their pension. Previously, it was entirely state-funded.

The editorials also mentioned that the City has been under-funding its system. Actuaries, as part of their annual analysis, determined the City should have contributed more. The City has under-funded the police pension system, based on actuarial analysis, the last eight years.

Police do not pay into Social Security and thus do not have it to fall back on when they retire like most other U.S. workers. The most an officer can receive at his or her retirement is 75 percent of his or her annual salary at the time the officer reached 30 years of service. One Star column even said, “These figures do not include money invested by officers in individual retirement accounts. They also don’t account for salaries and retirement benefits retirees receive from any jobs after leaving the Police Department.”

I find it strange anyone would take issue with a strong work ethic and sound money management practices.

The Board of Police Commissioners recently voted to extend mandatory retirement from 30 to 32 years of service, thus reducing the amount of time police will draw on the pension. Board Vice President Alvin Brooks said at a recent meeting that being a police officer “is a young man’s game.” He is right. It is a physically and psychologically demanding position that generally requires an earlier retirement than a standard desk job. KCPD retirees live to an average age of 72. That’s six years below the national average life expectancy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Today, officers are held to a high standard and subjected to intense public scrutiny, as they should be. But reasonable pay and retirement benefits are necessary to attract and retain quality employees. Additionally, providing those who have served the community for decades with a reasonable standard of living is good not just for the retiree but for the whole community. It keeps retirees living, paying taxes and spending in the city. 

Many public pension systems are under attack nationwide right now, and some do deserve scrutiny. The Kansas City Police Employees Retirement System, however, is by no means the kind of extravagant, Cadillac plan that has come under fire in other cities and states. It is very transparent and managed by a board composed of local business leaders and retired and active police employees. Cost-of-living adjustments are approved by the Retirement Board on an annual basis based on the previous year’s actuarial analysis. Based on this analysis in 2009, there was no increase in 2010, for example. You can learn all about the plan at www.kcpers.org.  

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Congratulations, KCPD Spanish Immersion graduates

Today, 12 officers graduated from our fifth annual Spanish Immersion program. They are pictured above with their professor, Lucia Villanueva. These officers were taken out of their assignments for 10 weeks to intensively study Spanish. They completed the equivalent of four college semesters of Spanish instruction in this time period. Five of them- those with the top GPAs - have been selected to go to Morelia, Mexico (which is in the state of Michoacan),  for five weeks to stay with host families and further their Spanish studies by taking two more semesters' worth of language and culture. Officers from past KCPD Spanish immersion programs have reported on their experiences there.

During this intensive 10-week course, these 12 officers got one week for spring break. But they didn't stop their studies. Instead, they went out into schools like Alta Vista Charter Middle School and organizations like the Don Bosco Senior Center as "community volunteers." They showed up in plain clothes Monday through Thursday, volunteering alongside the children and seniors, and didn't reveal they were police officers until the Friday of that week. Spanish Immersion program director Officer Lynda Hacker said many of the school children asked repeatedly, "You're really a policeman?" when they found out. We now have even stronger relationships with the future of this city - the children in those schools.

A total of 92 KCPD officers now have graduated from the Spanish Immersion program. Why have we spent the time and money to take these officers off the streets each year to teach them Spanish? The answer is simple: to communicate with those we serve. We are charged with protecting life and property and reducing fear and disorder for everyone who lives, works or plays in the 319 square miles that comprise Kansas City, Mo. In the last 15 years or so, we found we were unable to communicate with some of those we serve. Through this program, we can. We can build trust and learn who the bad guys are and get them off the streets.

Jacob Prada, who serves as the Mexican Consulate General in Kansas City, drove home during his speech at the graduation why this is becoming more important. He said the U.S. Census recorded an increase of 18,000 people to Kansas City's population from 2000 to 2010. Of those 18,000 new people here, 15,000 were Hispanic. That's 5 out of 6. It is incredibly important for the safey of everyone in Kansas City that we have conversations and relationships with these residents. Thanks to the 12 officers who graduated today and the 80 others who have gone before them, we can.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.

KCPD and alternative fuels

The December issue of our Informant newsletter discussed the Kansas City Police Department testing out some alternative fuels for our fleet of vehicles. We're no longer just dipping our toes in. We've committed 12 vehicles to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and are considering LPG/propane, as well.

KCPD's fleet of vehicles uses about 1.3 million gallons of fuel annually. With gas prices as high and volatile as they've been lately, it is incumbent on us to be prudent with taxpayer dollars by investigating cheaper alternatives to gasoline. With federal stimulus grant funding, we purchased two Chevy Impalas that run on CNG at the end of 2010. They're having radios installed right now and will be out on the streets very soon. Ten Ford Crown Victorias also are about to be converted to run on CNG. These twelve vehicles will be assigned as "administrative cars," meaning they will be used either by commanders or detectives. They will not be used in patrol. The primary reason for that is because the CNG tanks housed in the cars' trunks take up a decent amount of room and don't leave enough space for the considerable equipment patrol officers must have in their vehicles.

Our Fleet Operations unit also is considering purchasing a van for our Supply Section that runs on liquid propane, as well.

Compressed Natural Gas currently costs about $1.40 per gallon, and propane is about $2.86 (although they have different calorific values). Both fuels are produced domestically. CNG and liquid propane both are less likely to ignite in a crash than gasoline, and they both produce lower polluting emissions.

This also is the last year Ford is making the police staple Crown Victoria, and we're looking at a number of possibilities for its replacement. Fuel economy will be an important factor.

The future East Patrol Division / Crime Lab campus - where do you think it should be?

Thanks to Kansas City voters renewing the quarter-cent public safety sales tax in November 2010, we are moving forward with capital improvement plans. First on the list is a new campus to house the East Patrol Division and Crime Lab. We're working with the City Architect's Office, City Manager's Office, City Council members and the Mayor to find the perfect spot for these buildings, and we'd like your suggestions.

Below are some of the factors that will be considered:
* Cost
* Size and shape of the site - it needs to be 12 to 15 acres
* Public accessibility (both by vehicles and pedestrians)
* Visibility of the surrounding area and security
* Possible environmental hazards or contamination
* Sufficient distance from railroad tracks and major highways to protect the Crime Lab from ground vibrations
* An opportunity to build in a blighted area in order to serve as an anchor for neighborhood improvement.

If you have an idea of where you think would be the perfect spot for the new East Patrol and Crime Lab, go to www.saferkc.com/east to submit your suggestions.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.

Pictures from today's bench dedication for fallen Officer Craig Schultz

Today, I had the privilege of attending the bench dedication of Officer Craig Schultz, who was killed in the line of duty exactly 10 years ago on May 9, 2001. Captain Todd Paulson raised the funds for the bench that was near the head of the Trail of Heroes. Below are some of the pictures of this morning's event. I'm so glad Officer Schultz's family and work family could attend.

Last fallen officer to be honored on Trail of Heroes on Monday

On May 9, 2001, Officer Craig Schultz responded to a roll-over crash on I-29 and was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was 36 years old, an 11-year veteran of the police department and left behind a wife and two young daughters. His was the 119th and most recent line-of-duty death for a Kansas City Missouri Police officer.

On Monday, the 10th anniversary of his death, his family, colleagues and friends will pay tribute to Officer Schultz at the Trail of Heroes on the campus of the Shoal Creek Patrol Division and Police Academy. A bench will be dedicated in his honor near the head of the trail. It will be both solemn and celebratory: solemn in marking a life that was cut far too short and grieving the decade that he wasn't with his family or colleagues; but celebratory in marking a life well-lived and marking that no other KCPD officer has died in the line of duty for 10 years, the longest time period in the history of the department. We fervently pray that it will never happen again.

Go to http://www.trailofheroes.com/ for more information about where the trail is and who it honors. Then go visit it in person.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.rog.

Police take down major marijuana-trafficking ring with ties to Jamaica

A big congratulations to our Drug Enforcement Unit, whose investigation, along with that of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, culminated in a jury finding eight drug traffickers guilty last week.

In 2008, the DEA and KCPD Drug Enforcement Unit began a large-scale investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Gladstone McDowell. McDowell was a career narcotics trafficker in the Kansas City metropolitan area. During the investigation, DEA and KCPD identified that the McDowell was part of a large-scale international organization that trafficked large amounts of high-grade marijuana throughout the United States with ties to Jamaica.

After a two-year investigation, 20 people were federally indicted in the U.S. District Court in Kansas for conspiracy to distribute narcotics and money laundering. Of the 20 who were indicted, nine went to trial, and the other 11 pleaded guilty. 

On April 28, 2011, the jury rendered guilty verdicts for 8 of the 9 defendants.

During the two-year investigation, the following evidence and assets were recovered/seized:

-1500 pounds of marijuana
-9 real-estate properties belonging to the drug trafficking organization 
-$170,000 in cash in Kansas City, Mo
-8 vehicles belonging to the drug trafficking organization

Gladstone McDowell, 60,  faces life in federal prison for his involvement in this organization.

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See something, say something

It was somewhat prescient that at last month’s Metro Chiefs and Sheriffs Association meeting, our guest speaker was Bob Kolenda, the director of the Kansas City Regional Terrorism Early Warning Inter-Agency Watch Center. Our Homeland Security Unit as well as many other area local, state and federal law enforcement agencies participate in this agency to monitor trends and assess threats that could result in terrorist attacks.

Although our Homeland Security Unit has reported there are no specific threats at this time, given the recent focus on the death of the world’s most notorious terrorist, it seems a good time to remind the public of the important role you play in detecting and reporting potential terrorist activity. Last year, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano launched the “See Something, Say Something” campaign. This initiative encourages regular citizens to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviors and to report them to law enforcement. Before any of the recent events, Director Kolenda reminded local police chiefs last month of the importance of this program, pointing out that the best resources law enforcement has for detecting potential terrorist behavior is you.

Terrorist experts recognize eight signs of terrorism. Terrorist operations usually begin with extensive planning, and these eight things are what to look out for. It is important to note that you should not report anything based on race, gender or religion – only suspicious behavior. Keep in mind domestic terrorism (like the Oklahoma City bombing) is just as real a threat as terrorists from overseas. The video at our Kansas City Terrorism Early Warming Group’s web site (it was produced by the Colorado Information Analysis Center) does a good job explaining the below eight signs of terrorism:

1.) Surveillance and Photography – Demonstrating an unusual interest in facilities, buildings or infrastructure that a reasonable person would consider suspicious. Examples include using binoculars, taking notes and attempting to measure distances. Taking pictures or video of infrequently used access points, security personnel carrying out their duties or security-related equipment.
2.) Elicitation – Questioning individuals at a level beyond mere curiosity about particular facets of a building’s purpose, operations, security procedures, etc.
3.) Testing security – Challenging security installations, personnel, systems, and cyber security.
4.) Funding – Making unusually large transactions with cash or gift cards; making large donations to a charity you’ve never heard of.
5.) Acquiring supplies – Acquiring unusual amounts of precursor materials like cell phones, pagers, fuel, timers and weapons
6.) Impersonation – Pretending to be a law enforcement, government or security official or company employee to gain more information or access.
7.) Rehearsal – Putting operatives in position, monitoring police radios, measuring emergency response times.
8.) Deployment – Arranging assets, positioning players, carrying out an attack. Call 911 immediately if you witness this.

You can report any of these things to the Kansas City Terrorism Early Warning Center, which has partnered with the TIPS Hotline, at 816-474-TIPS; KCPD’s Homeland Security Unit at 816-889-6130; your local law enforcement agency; or the Kansas City FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force at 816-512-8200. If you sense an impending emergency, call 911. You can even report suspicious activity online.

Many people think terrorism doesn’t happen in places like Kansas City, but check out these steadily rising statistics from our Homeland Security Unit about local investigations into reasonably suspicious terrorist activities:

And just last year, KCPD and the Heart of America Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated Khalid Ouazzani, a Kansas City resident who later pleaded guilty in federal court to supporting the terrorist group Al-Qaida.

In summation, we need your eyes and ears to keep Kansas City and America a safe place to live, work and play. If you see something, say something.


Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.

False alarm fees increased May 1

PRESS RELEASE:

False alarms just became a little more costly for Kansas City residents.

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department increased annual renewal fees from $40 to $49 per year, depending on the number of false security system alarms, beginning May 1, 2011. The increase applies to both residential and business alarm users. Residential users are allowed two free false alarms and will now be charged $49 for each subsequent false alarm up to $147. Businesses pay $49 for each false alarm. Residents and businesses are not required to pay the annual renewal fee if they have had no false alarm. New permit fees have not changed. Police will not respond to alarms not registered with KCPD.

The purpose of the city’s false alarm ordinance is to minimize the number of false alarm dispatches, thereby keeping more officers available for emergency calls. About 97 percent of Kansas City’s security alarms are false alarms. The ordinance defines a false alarm as “an alarm signal eliciting a police response when a situation requiring immediate response does not in fact exist.”

The Board of Police Commissioners revised the alarm renewal fee based on how many false alarms police respond to and the manpower and other costs involved with doing so.

To minimize the number of false alarm dispatches, KCPD’s Private Alarm Section urges all alarm users to ensure the reliability of their system by properly training everyone who uses it and scheduling routine maintenance. Below is the new fee schedule set by the Board of Police Commissioners:

New residential alarm permit $45
New business alarm permit $45
New master permit (apartments) $45
Annual renewal fee – residential $0 (two or fewer false alarms)
Annual renewal fee – residential $49 per false alarm exceeding two ($147 maximum)
Annual renewal fee – business $0 (no false alarms)
Annual renewal fee – business $49 per false alarm (no maximum)

For more information, go to the Alarm Permits web page.