Today is Opening Day for the Kansas City Royals, and we're ready to get all you baseball fans smoothly in and out of Kauffman Stadium. In addition to security inside, we've posted 14 traffic enforcement officers around the Sports Complex. They're at Gates 1, 2 and 3, as well as on Manchester Trafficway. They went out early and are there now to help get all the tail-gaters in safely.
Remember that the new George Brett Bridge next to the Sports Complex opened yesterday, replacing the Blue Ridge Cutoff. There will be a bit of a learning curve. From the Missouri Department of Transportation:
"The new bridge, dedicated to Major League Hall-of-Famer George Brett, a career-long Kansas City Royal, is longer by 14 feet and wider by 18 feet to accommodate changes to I-70. The bridge is part of a $39 million project to also add a third lane of I-70 beneath I-435, a half-diamond interchange at I-435 and Route 40, a collector-distributor ramp system for I-435 to eastbound I-70 and reconfigured ramps at I-70 and Route 40."
So drive carefully, and enjoy the Royals home-opener!
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Impact of earnings tax on KCPD
The 1 percent earnings tax that all who work in Kansas City pay comprises 40 percent of our police department budget. Voters will go to the polls April 5 to decide whether to extend that tax another five years. Without it, police will be forced to make significant cuts. The above chart shows how staffing would need to be reduced during the 10-year phase-out of the earnings tax. By the end, KCPD staffing levels would be the same as they were in 1963.
Because of this estimated reduction, police response to some incidents would be significantly reduced and possibly eliminated, such as non-injury car crashes, burglaries, fraud and forgery. Response times would increase, and elements like the Drug Enforcement Unit, Crimes Against Children Section, Helicopter Section, Canine Section and a Northland patrol division station could be eliminated.
This educational presentation explains more in-depth the estimated impact losing the earnings tax would have on the Kansas City Missouri Police Department.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
KCPD under-cover squad named Law Enforcement Unit of the Year
A big congratulations is due to our Street Crimes Unit 1930 Squad for being named 2010 Law Enforcement Unit of the Year last week by the Missouri Narcotics Officers Association at the group's annual conference. This award is given to units that exhibit "exemplary performance resulting in positive impact on a community or the law enforcement profession."
It's good to see a group that gets so little recognition because of the under-cover nature of their assignments be awarded for their good work. This group also received our department's Special Unit Citation in a private ceremony last week for all the work they did leading up to the 2009 and 2010 Violent Crime initiatives (four in all) and Operation BLING. These are the men and women who gather the evidence and intelligence for search warrants in these operations. They work with some of the city's most dangerous criminals to end the plague of violence that drugs bring to our streets.
Good work, 1930 Squad.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
It's good to see a group that gets so little recognition because of the under-cover nature of their assignments be awarded for their good work. This group also received our department's Special Unit Citation in a private ceremony last week for all the work they did leading up to the 2009 and 2010 Violent Crime initiatives (four in all) and Operation BLING. These are the men and women who gather the evidence and intelligence for search warrants in these operations. They work with some of the city's most dangerous criminals to end the plague of violence that drugs bring to our streets.
Good work, 1930 Squad.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Victims of Saturday's suspicious death and homicide identified
At about 3:09 p.m. March 26, police were called to a house in the 5600 block of East 27th Terrace about a dead body. They found 40-year-old Chershia Mayberry dead on the porch. Her cause of death is unknown, and we're awaiting autopsy results. A person of interest (a 40-year-old male) was taken into custody at the scene. Witnesses said they'd heard a disturbance at the home earlier in the day. Investigation is ongoing.
Five hours later, at about 8 p.m. March 26, police were called to 44th and Agnes about passengers in two vehicles shooting at each other. They found two shooting victims at 44th and Bellefontaine. One victim was in fair condition and transported to a local hospital. The other, 17-year-old Monte Wedd, was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses said the victims were in a shootout with individuals occupying a silver passenger car. Detectives are following up on leads.
Anyone with information about either of these cases should call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
Five hours later, at about 8 p.m. March 26, police were called to 44th and Agnes about passengers in two vehicles shooting at each other. They found two shooting victims at 44th and Bellefontaine. One victim was in fair condition and transported to a local hospital. The other, 17-year-old Monte Wedd, was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses said the victims were in a shootout with individuals occupying a silver passenger car. Detectives are following up on leads.
Anyone with information about either of these cases should call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
Friday, March 25, 2011
Officers to conduct neighborhood roll call in Spanish tonight
PRESS RELEASE:
KCPD patrol officers will conduct their third all-Spanish roll call at 6 p.m. today, March 25, to meet with concerned Spanish-speaking residents.
The roll call will take place at Super Pollo Restaurant, 3253 Independence Avenue. Officers want to meet with residents of the area, learn about their concerns and build relationships with the community. The officers also will tell residents about what initiatives they’re taking in the neighborhood and share crime prevention tips.
At the last all-Spanish roll call officers conducted in December 2010 at another Independence Avenue Mexican restaurant, nearly 30 people attended, and officers received information that led them to solve three crimes.
Some of the officers are native Spanish speakers, and others are graduates of the Department’s Spanish Immersion Program, which puts officers through an intensive 10-week course equivalent to four semesters of college Spanish instruction.
Kansas City Police instituted community roll calls this year to get officers more in touch with the residents they serve. Hundreds of officers have now prepared for their shifts by meeting on front porches, at coffee shops, in apartment complexes and parking lots to get to know their communities.
If you’d like police to have a community roll call at your home or business, call the community interaction officer in your patrol division or the main KCPD number at 816-234-5000 and say you’d like to speak with the community interaction officer in your area.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
KCPD patrol officers will conduct their third all-Spanish roll call at 6 p.m. today, March 25, to meet with concerned Spanish-speaking residents.
The roll call will take place at Super Pollo Restaurant, 3253 Independence Avenue. Officers want to meet with residents of the area, learn about their concerns and build relationships with the community. The officers also will tell residents about what initiatives they’re taking in the neighborhood and share crime prevention tips.
At the last all-Spanish roll call officers conducted in December 2010 at another Independence Avenue Mexican restaurant, nearly 30 people attended, and officers received information that led them to solve three crimes.
Some of the officers are native Spanish speakers, and others are graduates of the Department’s Spanish Immersion Program, which puts officers through an intensive 10-week course equivalent to four semesters of college Spanish instruction.
Kansas City Police instituted community roll calls this year to get officers more in touch with the residents they serve. Hundreds of officers have now prepared for their shifts by meeting on front porches, at coffee shops, in apartment complexes and parking lots to get to know their communities.
If you’d like police to have a community roll call at your home or business, call the community interaction officer in your patrol division or the main KCPD number at 816-234-5000 and say you’d like to speak with the community interaction officer in your area.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Victims of weekend homicides identified
As the weather warmed this past weekend, police were faced with investigating multiple homicides. Investigators are still trying to determine whether a dead body found in the 4000 block of Benton on Sunday morning is the result of foul play. We ask the community to work with us to help solve these and, more importantly, prevent more from happening.
* 4 p.m. Friday, March 18: Officers were called to the area of 5400 Swope on a report of a dead body. They found the body of 21-year-old Gary L. Waloke of Kansas City, Mo., in a trash pile behind some houses. Waloke's family reported him missing March 7.
* 4 p.m. Friday, March 18: Officers were called to the area of 5400 Swope on a report of a dead body. They found the body of 21-year-old Gary L. Waloke of Kansas City, Mo., in a trash pile behind some houses. Waloke's family reported him missing March 7.
* Just before 3 a.m. Sunday, March 20: Officers were called to the 2600 block of Lawn on a reported shooting. When they arrived, they discovered three people had been shot. One was dead, one was taken to the hospital in critical condition and one had non-life-threatening injuries. The deceased has been identified as 15-year-old Jason Rodriquez.
* Just after 3 a.m. Sunday, March 20: Officers were notified a shooting victim had been taken to a hospital. They determined a car was traveling on 8th Street near Charlotte when another car shot into theirs. One person died, and another was in critical condition. The deceased has been identified as 19-year-old Steven Lee Anthony Jackson.
Kansas City has had 17 homicides in 2011, compared to 19 at this time last year and 23 at this time in 2009. If you have information about any of these cases, please call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
Monday, March 21, 2011
52 arrested in weekend DUI checkpoints
Despite our very public warnings that we would be using the new Mobile DWI Enforcement Center to conduct two DWI checkpoints between March 16 and 20, police still arrested a total of 52 drunk drivers on March 17 and 19.
On the night of St. Patrick's Day, we set up a checkpoint with the assistance of Missouri State Highway Patrol and Jackson County Sheriff deputies from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. at 39th Street and northbound Southwest Trafficway. The results of that checkpoint were:
Vehicles Stopped-801
DUI Arrests-41
Driving While Suspended/Revoked-6
So more than 5 percent - or 1 in 20 - drivers stopped that night were driving drunk. That's very frightening, considering 63 percent of the people killed in Kansas City crashes last year had an impaired driver involved. That does not count those who were seriously injured. Channel 5 had a sobering piece about a teen who has to undergo multiple surgeries and lost his best friend thanks to a drunk driver.
The driving-while-suspended number also is frightening. Most of these people had their licenses revoked initially because of drunk driving.
Just two nights later, police conducted another sobriety checkpoint in another spot known for DUI crashes: 7712 Wornall. Here are the results of that one:
Vehicles Stopped-357
DUI Arrests-11
Driving While Suspended/Revoked-2
Ignition Interlock Device Violation-1
A little better with just 3 percent of cars stopped having an impaired driver, but still far, far too many. And the ignition interlock device violation comes from a person who has been convicted of drunk driving and must install a device that measures their blood alcohol levels before they can start the car. This person did not install that device.
While fatality crashes elsewhere in Missouri and the nation continue to go down, Kansas City's continue to go up. Impaired driving is to blame for nearly two-thirds of those fatalities, and it must stop.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
On the night of St. Patrick's Day, we set up a checkpoint with the assistance of Missouri State Highway Patrol and Jackson County Sheriff deputies from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. at 39th Street and northbound Southwest Trafficway. The results of that checkpoint were:
Vehicles Stopped-801
DUI Arrests-41
Driving While Suspended/Revoked-6
So more than 5 percent - or 1 in 20 - drivers stopped that night were driving drunk. That's very frightening, considering 63 percent of the people killed in Kansas City crashes last year had an impaired driver involved. That does not count those who were seriously injured. Channel 5 had a sobering piece about a teen who has to undergo multiple surgeries and lost his best friend thanks to a drunk driver.
The driving-while-suspended number also is frightening. Most of these people had their licenses revoked initially because of drunk driving.
Just two nights later, police conducted another sobriety checkpoint in another spot known for DUI crashes: 7712 Wornall. Here are the results of that one:
Vehicles Stopped-357
DUI Arrests-11
Driving While Suspended/Revoked-2
Ignition Interlock Device Violation-1
A little better with just 3 percent of cars stopped having an impaired driver, but still far, far too many. And the ignition interlock device violation comes from a person who has been convicted of drunk driving and must install a device that measures their blood alcohol levels before they can start the car. This person did not install that device.
While fatality crashes elsewhere in Missouri and the nation continue to go down, Kansas City's continue to go up. Impaired driving is to blame for nearly two-thirds of those fatalities, and it must stop.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Felon charged with gun possession at St. Patrick's Day parade
We assigned a lot officers to yesterday's St. Patrick's Day parade, and hopefully if you were there, you barely noticed them and had a great time. But I can assure you they were busy (to see pictures of the police at the parade, check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kcpolice). The below press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office outlines one of the situations police dealt with yesterday and demonstrates the value of having officers both in the air and on the ground at an event like this:
PROJECT CEASEFIRE: KC MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING LOADED FIREARM AT ST. PAT’S PARADE
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with illegally possessing a loaded handgun at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Kansas City.
Michael C. Glover, 21, of Kansas City, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in a criminal complaint that was filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City. Glover remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.
Today’s criminal complaint alleges that Glover was in possession of a Makarov 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Wednesday, March 17, 2011.
According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s criminal complaint, an observer in a Kansas City, Mo., Police Department helicopter, which was patrolling the St. Patrick’s Day parade, saw Glover place something in the corner of a wall near 38th Street and Broadway. Officers on the ground located the loaded firearm.
A few minutes later, the helicopter unit saw Glover at the same location where the firearm had been recovered, the affidavit says. When officers on the ground approached Glover, he ran from the officers, but was apprehended after a brief foot chase and placed under arrest.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Glover has a prior felony conviction for distribution/manufacture of a controlled substance.
Phillips cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
PROJECT CEASEFIRE: KC MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING LOADED FIREARM AT ST. PAT’S PARADE
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with illegally possessing a loaded handgun at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Kansas City.
Michael C. Glover, 21, of Kansas City, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in a criminal complaint that was filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City. Glover remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.
Today’s criminal complaint alleges that Glover was in possession of a Makarov 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Wednesday, March 17, 2011.
According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s criminal complaint, an observer in a Kansas City, Mo., Police Department helicopter, which was patrolling the St. Patrick’s Day parade, saw Glover place something in the corner of a wall near 38th Street and Broadway. Officers on the ground located the loaded firearm.
A few minutes later, the helicopter unit saw Glover at the same location where the firearm had been recovered, the affidavit says. When officers on the ground approached Glover, he ran from the officers, but was apprehended after a brief foot chase and placed under arrest.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Glover has a prior felony conviction for distribution/manufacture of a controlled substance.
Phillips cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Youth seat belt enforcement campaign is March 15-31
In addition to the extra DUI enforcement we're conducting around the St. Patrick's Day holiday (41 people were arrested at a checkpoint last night at 39th Street and Southwest Trafficway, and another checkpoint is scheduled this weekend), KCPD also has received grant funding to conduct extra seat belt enforcement, especially among teenagers. Here's the press release:
The Kansas City Missouri Police Department is joining with several other law enforcement agencies for an aggressive mobilization from March 15 to 31 to crack down on Missouri’s seat belt law violators in an effort to reduce traffic fatalities.
Nearly one in four Missourians still fail to regularly wear their seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Teens are even less likely to wear their seat belts with only 66 percent regularly buckling up. Eight out of ten teens killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled.
"It’s that time of year when teen drivers are out more than ever,” Traffic Enforcement Unit Sergeant Grant Ruark said. “Warmer weather is approaching, and prom season is right around the corner, so it is important that we get as many of our young drivers and passengers to buckle up as possible. The statistics regarding teens and seat belt use are alarming. We’ve got to do more. We want them to ‘Arrive Alive.’”
For information on Missouri seat belt usage, visit www.saveMOlives.com.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
The Kansas City Missouri Police Department is joining with several other law enforcement agencies for an aggressive mobilization from March 15 to 31 to crack down on Missouri’s seat belt law violators in an effort to reduce traffic fatalities.
Nearly one in four Missourians still fail to regularly wear their seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Teens are even less likely to wear their seat belts with only 66 percent regularly buckling up. Eight out of ten teens killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled.
"It’s that time of year when teen drivers are out more than ever,” Traffic Enforcement Unit Sergeant Grant Ruark said. “Warmer weather is approaching, and prom season is right around the corner, so it is important that we get as many of our young drivers and passengers to buckle up as possible. The statistics regarding teens and seat belt use are alarming. We’ve got to do more. We want them to ‘Arrive Alive.’”
For information on Missouri seat belt usage, visit www.saveMOlives.com.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Getting ready for St. Patrick's Day
Tomorrow promises to be a great day for one of our city’s largest outdoor celebrations: the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We’ll have dozens of additional officers in the area to ensure you and your family and friends can safely enjoy the event.
If you live in, work in or frequent the area of the parade in Midtown, beware of the road closures from about 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow:
• Broadway Boulevard between 31st and 43rd streets
• Linwood Boulevard/33rd Street between Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
• Southbound J.C. Nichols Parkway between 43rd and 47th streets
• 43rd Street between Main Street and Wornall Road.
If you plan to be anywhere along or near the parade route, also be aware that many parade visitors will be parking in the area, and traffic congestion is likely. We ask parade-goers to please observe the posted parking ordinances. Also, please do not leave items of value in plain view in your vehicle. Thieves often target areas where many cars are parked at once, and although many officers will be nearby, leaving something like a bag or GPS or cell phone in your car could get it broken into.
Along the parade route, there will be police on foot, on motorcycle, on ATV and even overhead in the KCPD helicopter. Cameras posted on the route will be monitored by officers from a separate location to notify police on the streets of any potential problems. Plain-clothes detectives also will be in the crowd looking for liquor violations or other possible troubles.
After the parade, additional officers – including the Mounted Patrol Section – also will be assigned to the Westport area for the rest of the day and into the evening to make sure everyone celebrates safely. And remember, we’ll be conducting two DUI checkpoints between today and Sunday. As always, be sure to designate a sober driver or arrange for other transportation if you plan to drink.
We wish everyone a fun and safe St. Patrick’s Day.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
If you live in, work in or frequent the area of the parade in Midtown, beware of the road closures from about 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow:
• Broadway Boulevard between 31st and 43rd streets
• Linwood Boulevard/33rd Street between Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
• Southbound J.C. Nichols Parkway between 43rd and 47th streets
• 43rd Street between Main Street and Wornall Road.
If you plan to be anywhere along or near the parade route, also be aware that many parade visitors will be parking in the area, and traffic congestion is likely. We ask parade-goers to please observe the posted parking ordinances. Also, please do not leave items of value in plain view in your vehicle. Thieves often target areas where many cars are parked at once, and although many officers will be nearby, leaving something like a bag or GPS or cell phone in your car could get it broken into.
Along the parade route, there will be police on foot, on motorcycle, on ATV and even overhead in the KCPD helicopter. Cameras posted on the route will be monitored by officers from a separate location to notify police on the streets of any potential problems. Plain-clothes detectives also will be in the crowd looking for liquor violations or other possible troubles.
After the parade, additional officers – including the Mounted Patrol Section – also will be assigned to the Westport area for the rest of the day and into the evening to make sure everyone celebrates safely. And remember, we’ll be conducting two DUI checkpoints between today and Sunday. As always, be sure to designate a sober driver or arrange for other transportation if you plan to drink.
We wish everyone a fun and safe St. Patrick’s Day.
Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.
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