KANSAS CITY, Mo. – At the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners meeting Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri, Deputy Chief of the Police Department Joe Mabin outlined a plan to address property crime.
A group of seven officers will mainly work late night shifts and target “hotspots”.
“Every business and every resident deserves to be safe in our city,” KCMO Chairman Quinton Lucas told the media after the meeting.
Jonathon Goede/KSHB
On Sunday, KSHB 41 revisited Anchor Island Coffee at East 41st and Troost. The business has been the victim of many thefts and property crimes over the past year.
“This area kind of gets forgotten,” co-owner Armando Vasquez explained. “This area is never touched.”
Vasquez is a first-generation business owner in Kansas City and began working in the food service industry at age 19.
From the first insight, the memory remains present in his mind.
Will Shaw/KSHB
“It’s not what they get, it’s the feeling of coming into your country and everything falling apart,” he said. “It gets to the point where it goes to your head. Because after the third time, it’s like, what’s next?”
Following BOPC’s announcement to pilot a new patrol detail, KSHB 41 requested an interview with KCPD to discuss program objectives. KCPD did not make anyone available for an interview Sunday afternoon before releasing details in the evening.
KSHB-TV
However, a KCPD spokesperson responded to questions via email, outlining what they could share about the new patrol unit.
KCPD said the squad will monitor areas described as “hot spots” from recent crime data trends. Officers selected for specialized units must have three years of patrol experience, handling a wide variety of crimes.
Additionally, the spokesman said the opportunity to work in specialized units can boost morale in the department, where officers can serve the public in a variety of areas.
“The closet has to stop somewhere,” Mayor Lucas said Tuesday. “If you’re the mayor, the chief, the commissioners, the councilors, we all need to make sure we’re doing something about it.”
KSHB 41 Staff
KCPD Chief Stacey Graves said at the meeting that she felt the department’s increased presence in the area had already deterred crime in “hot spots.”
But she added, “I think we’re going to have to adjust again.”
Vasquez reiterated that his business feels forgotten in the South Hyde Park neighborhood. He and his business partner have considered moving their business elsewhere as safety remains top of mind.
Will Shaw/KSHB
“It’s crossed our minds many times. It’s part of the deal now. That’s the way things are going,” Vasquez said. “If they’re going to protect us, they’re going to protect us.”
While Lucas said he feels great things are happening in Kansas City, he is concerned that businesses feel unsafe and are considering relocation.
“I have very real concerns,” Lucas said. “I have concerns with residents who say … they may have to leave a neighborhood because of so many things going on.”
Will Shaw/KSHB
Anchor Island Coffee is approaching five years of business in Kansas City. Vasquez said the corner cafe has been through tough times, surviving the pandemic and establishing itself as a business.
Still, Vasquez and his business partner remain skeptical until change happens.
“I won’t believe it until I see it,” Vasquez said.
–
KSHB 41 reporter Ryan Gamboa covers Miami County in Kansas and Cass County in Missouri. It also covers agricultural topics. Share your story idea with Ryan.
