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Parks Improvement
Committee Report BY PAUL LIVIUS
An impressive group of Raytown leaders
met last Thursday evening for the first meeting of the Raytown Parks
Improvement Committee (PIC).
“It was refreshing to see such a good
turnout at our first meeting, “said Alderman Greg Walters. At its last meeting
the Raytown Board of Aldermen appointed Walters to head up a special committee
to look into ways to improve Raytown Parks.
Those in attendance included:
- Aldermen Greg Walters, Jim Aziere, Mary Jane and Bill Van Buskirk
- Park Board President Chris Rathbone, and Park Board member Loretha Hayden
- Raytown Fire Chief Matt Mace, Deputy Fire Chief Mike Hunley and Fire Marshall Taylor Seedorf.
- Captain Michelle Rogers of the Raytown Police Department.
- Seven private citizens: Mindy McDaniel, Deloris Dewey, Jane Loulos, Tony Jacob, and Phyllis and Sam Goforth
The hot topic of the evening was curfew
violations and ways to more successfully enforce the city’s curfew at city
parks.
Park Director Dave Turner had previously
shared with Alderman Walters plans to improve lighting in the parks with solar
powered LED lights and possibly the use of private security personnel to work
with police to enforce curfew violations.
Committee member Deloris Dewey shared with
the Board a transcript of a recent National Public Radio (NPR) Broadcast of an electronic
deterrent being used in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to keep teenager and young adults from breaking park curfews. The devices use ultra high frequency broadcasts, which can only be
heard by pre-teens and teenagers to dissuade curfew violations. According to
the story, by time most adults reach their early twenties the spectrum of our
hearing diminishes.
The Committee was intrigued by the idea
but saw the price tag ($5,000 per device) made the option a non-starter.
Fire Chief Matt Mace told the Committee the
Fire Department rarely uses Lane Street (which passes through Colman Park) as
an emergency pathway to neighborhoods north of 59th Street.
Mace said, “We use 63rd Street,
which has four lanes (59th Street is only two lanes wide). It gives
us a better response time for Fire and Ambulance calls.”
Park Board President Chris Rathbone said
Raytown Parks will be providing WIFI access to park visitors.
Raytown Fire
Marshall Taylor Seedorf said the WIFI signal could be used to identify people
within the park. Anyone breaking a law can be tracked using the WIFI signature
they sign up with to use the free service.
Alderman Greg Walters suggested what he
called an inexpensive and proven deterrent to keep cars out of the park after
curfew. “Most of the people who break the curfew in Raytown parks come in via
their car,” said Walters. “If they cannot bring their vehicle into the park,
they will not enter.”
Walters pointed out that the tragic
murder of June 15th at Colman Park happened at 12:30 a.m. – one and
one-half hours after curfew.
 |
| TRAFFIC BARRICADE AT STARLIGHT THEATER |
Another topic was a growing
use by homeless people at the park. Some come in by foot, many come in (after
curfew) in their cars and sleep in the parking lot.
“The use of gates and attractive obstacles protecting the perimeter of Colman Park , such as those used at Starlight Theater or the Truman Sports Complex would go a long way in enforcing the curfew at city parks,” said Walters.
“The use of gates and attractive obstacles protecting the perimeter of Colman Park , such as those used at Starlight Theater or the Truman Sports Complex would go a long way in enforcing the curfew at city parks,” said Walters.
 |
| AND ROYALS STADIUM |
The next meeting of the Parks Improvement Committee (PIC) would be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019, at the Raytown Fire
Headquarters (Station No. 1). The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 in the
evening.
93 comments:
Aren't most or all of Jackson county parks also gated? And Zimmerman Feilds have gates as does the school district facilities. 2 other city parks have gates too.
As for the ultrahigh sirens, didn't they place high decibel sirens at some parks? Maybe not next to houses but they are there.
For all the complaining and fighting, it looks like a good turnout of citizens and community reps!
Re: "ultra high frequency broadcasts, which can only be heard by pre-teens and teenagers": I have heard before that only younger people can hear these noises. I feel this is untrue because I hear this type of noise and it is very disturbing to me. I am a senior citizen and obviously past the targeted age group. I wonder why the curfew is targeted to one age group and NOT to ALL violators.
Andy Whiteman who is not a robot
Weird comment Andy. The curfew is for everyone. The homeless, the old, the young, everyone. The fact is most curfew violations are by the young. The gunfight and subsequent death at Colman Park was not 50+ senior citizens hanging one and one half hours after curfew. The two people that went in with guns blazing were senior citizens either. The young lady who lost her life was a teenager.
I applaud those who attended the meeting last Thursday. At least they are trying to do something to fix the problem.
You should re-read the article. The frequency broadcasts are done in Philadelphia. Not Raytown. Could it be your sensitive hearing can pick up the noise half a continent away? According to the article the Committee decided not pursue using the technology. So just what exactly is your complaint?
Someone told me that the mayor gave the MML citizen of the year award to his good 'ole buddy Jim Lynch. No surprise there. The next thing you know we will be having a ticker tape parade for him. The mayor is making a fool of himself and the city. The mayor has made us into a Mayberry USA, and to be honest Barney Fife would make a better mayor than what we have. My thought is that the award should have been given to Ted Bowman, although he is not my favorite either but he did run the department.
5:53PM, Not a complaint...just a criticism and a doubt of accuracy about frequency broadcasts. I question why was there a discussion of frequency broadcasts aimed at teens when any age can/will violate curfew? These frequency broadcast were also used in London, England in the past. The claim that only teens can hear them is untrue. I can hear these noises locally, not half a continent away and they are very annoying! Thus type of noise is usually from younger people in cars(and sometimes homes) with their bass boost turned as high as it will go.
I think the way to enforce curfew would be to install gates and LOCK them at the curfew time. Years ago I noticed Loose Park has gates and a curfew posted. I always assumed that the gates were locked at that time. Maybe I am wrong.
Andy Whiteman
Andy, you're right. Jackson County parks do have gates and they are locked every night. You're forgetting to mention Jackson County has a whole lot more officers than Raytown does. It's easy to have someone open and close those parks. If we relied on Raytown officers to open and close the parks then:
1) they open/close the park at the appointed time and a crime scene has to wait until all the parks are opened/closed
or
2) the officers stay at the crime scene until they are finished and the parks aren't opened or closed at the correct time.
Take your pick, Andy. Which one do you want?
July 16, 2019 at 3:33 PM
I don't want Raytown police officers closing/opening parks gates.
That is the job of a parks employee.
The mayor may not be the brightest crayon but no way would he give an award to someone who ignored a dozen officers complaints of bring sexually assaulted under him.
30,000 is a lot of money. I didn’t realize the current police chief wasn’t qualified to hold the position. It’s clear that’s the case if they need to spend that kind of money to find one that can do the job.
"The mayor has made us into a Mayberry USA,..."
That would be a GOOD thing. I yearn for those days. Standards, morals, family values....
Instead, we have this abhorrent longtime clique running the show and getting little to nothing accomplished. It's all yuck yuck and party time for these heroes.
They were city employees for so long that they probably figure that they're due.
It's all our faults, though. Had someone cared enough to recruit and vote in qualified candidates, these people wouldn't have had a prayer.
Tremendously reassured that we have several aldermen that are in there kicking ××× and taking names, however.
Randy Hudspeth is qualified to be our Police Chief. Because it's an appointed position, however, the Board must conduct a search for other candidates. If they find a person more qualified than Randy, then the BOA can make that person an offer. If I were Randy, I would think twice about accepting the position. The city doesn't pay enough to make it worth dealing with all the trolls. Especially the ones on this blog.
Didn't you hear Jason? He said the last time they did this it was a ploy, they used it to say they looked all over when in fact they choose someone right there.
They hired a city administrator for half of what they are doing the chief for...
Weird a half dozen people think it does, including 3 within RPD already, Randy being one.
Did I hear the mayor right, from now on there is to be no negative comments about the city or any member. We must only think positive. I think I know someone that could challenge that on a time place and manner that could cost the city a lot of money and a black eye.
I received a mailing from what looks to be from the "City of Raytown" from Service Line Warranties. They are offering a service to protect your water line and sewer line for a monthly charge if you ever have a problem. I have checked the reviews on the internet and they are NOT good. I don't really believe the city endorsed this. Beware!!
"If I were Randy, I would think twice about accepting the position. The city doesn't pay enough to make it worth dealing with all the trolls. Especially the ones on this blog."
Pfft. Au contraire. Not ONLY will Randy receive a fair shake, he has our full support. He's beyond qualified and is simply a nice guy.
When the last "administrator" self-abated, we were really happy that Randy stepped in and hope that he will accept the position if it's offered to him.
If you approach everything with competence and a good heart, expect our unqualified support.
And those that are generally inept, giggle, muck about, back stab, and further run this city into the ground? "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes”, as they say. We're onto you.
If that constitutes "troll-age", so be it.
8:46 You must have missed the city news letter that came out earlier this year. Said about the same thing.
I wouldn't get a contract from any of these services!
The real question is why did the city agree to this company and how much kick back money is the city getting off every contract.
July 16, 2019 at 3:33 PM, Why does an officer have to open and close parks? The Parks board could hire people to do it or even possibly a citizen living nearby who would be willing to do it free as a public service.
Andy Whiteman
$30,000 for a search of a police chief when they already know they will offer the job to the current chief??? Are they out of their ever loving minds?
What didn't the Board first offer the job to the Interim Chief and if he declined it, THEN spend $30,000 on a head hunter. This is the same head hunter that brought in one of the worst city administrator this city has ever seen (lasted less than a year, and was fired.) The headhunter admits that he has never hired a Police Chief, yet they hire him to conduct a search? Please request a copy of the RFP and how it was posted for bid and which companies replied. I would like to see that.
This taxpaying citizen of Raytown is sick and tired of this BS from the Mayor and Board, but yeah, keep raising taxes please.
Mine said it came from the city too, but I called and the administrator said the city did NOT send any letters out about this.
THESE ARE NOT FROM THE CITY!
After checking the reviews it does look like something this company would do, to take a letter.
I have noticed a distinct difference since he took over. People actually see the chief outside the office, the PD budget is running under budget instead of vastly over. And they are now getting grant funding.
This is a whole new leaf. Not to say there isn't someone better, but you couldn't be much worse than what we had.
So let me get this straight. If the Police do not have to lock and unlock the gates you are okay with the concept of closing the park down during curfew hours? Really needs some clarification here. Can you help out?
I tried to go to the mayor's meeting on crime tonight and the doors were locked was it canceled?
"....actually see the chief outside the office..."
And that's nothing new for this interim. He's always been out and about.
I think Randy has been doing a good job. Certainly much better than our new "man of the year"!
Isn't calling someone a "troll" the same as being a "troll"? I see a lot of that activity on Facebook but very little here. I think the owners of the blog do a goood job keeping bad commnents off this page. One thing is for certain. The foul language found on other sites is not allowed here. I really appreciate that.
"I tried to go to the mayor's meeting on crime tonight and the doors were locked was it canceled?"
No the meeting was held. It started at 6 pm. I think the doors may have automatically locked.
The plan is for future meetings to be held at city hall. I hope you can attend. The next meeting date will be determined soon.
Also regarding the letters everyone has been getting about the water/sewer line insurance-this was discussed at a BOA meeting. The city may not have actually sent the letters but this company got the OK from the city to send them out. I've heard that getting a rider on your homeowner's insurance is more cost effective.
5:22 am - I'm not sure why you had a problem getting into last night's meeting. There were folks who came at 6:15, and one who came at 6:30. I do know only one of the two doors were unlocked. Maybe you tried the wrong one.
Re: water line/sewer insurance: This issue came up many years ago and it was NOT endorsed by the city. The company was using the city's logo to make people think it was from or authorized by the city. It is true the property owner is responsible for the line from the house to the main. I suggest calling City Hall and asking if the city has authorized this mailing. When it was offered to me, it went directly into the trash! If anyone is considering this "insurance," I suggest checking if the company is licensed by the State Insurance Commission.
Andy Whiteman
They probably locked them to keep the guys who got in a fight out.
I asked Mike and he said the doors were locked at 8 pm.
Well after the meeting began, if anyone cared enough to show up on time they would be been let in. There wasn't anyone locked out or refused. Some older people were waiting in the parkinglot, but I think they were just picking up someone.
This company has terrible reviews
Okay, I get it. I will go to the next meeting at City Hall. Please let us know which door we are supposed to use before you start the meeting!
The real argument was between the mayor and COMBAT. They all made mention that the people that were real stakeholders weren't invited.
... subject to change at any moment...
POP QUIZ:
How many door are there are city hall from where you an enter and leave the building?
When most people attend an open meeting and find a door locked, they usually try others doors. Then they will find the open one. Perhaps you should stay home and work on your logic skills.
BTW - the "Older couple" in the parking lot that night were Mary Jane and Bill Van Buskirk, aldermen from ward 4. Not sure why they were in the parking lot and not at the meeting, but oh, well.
Just gotta say, another shooting last night in Raytown....Homicide and it wasn't in the parks. Neither were the last 3 shooting. Let's gate the parks though. Geez. Typical knee jerk reaction.
We don't know if the shooting was DV related, home invasion, or drug deal gone bad.
Let's wait for some more facts to come out. The only good thing is they have arrested someone.
Side and main, but that doesn't include PD downstairs.
You can love, hate, or ignore the van buskirks, but everyone has to admit they go to every single function. And I mean everything. Bill was coming to meeting when he was supposed to be on bed rest after surgery and still talking to constituents.
We're glad Bill Van Buskirk is doing better after his surgery. He was looking good at the BOA meeting last Tuesday. It doesn't appear he was out of commission too long, which is a good thing.
News just said that makes 8 in the last couple weeks. Crazy. Guess that's why the detectives won't return my calls. I had my car stolen from my driveway and have it all on camera, how can it be so hard to figure it out. The guy and his posse live down the street, I even showed them the house!
Yeah, because those don't count as violence...
Nearly every violent crime is a known party. Almost every single one. The problem is that type of people (criminals) feel comfortable here. The mayor said one group of teens drove from kck to shoot someone here while he was visiting a friends house. I bet they choose here because they know they wouldn't get caught.
I don't think he was out of commission at all. Rest does they body well, but he's sure dedicated.
Just saw on the news an alderman started screaming and cussing at the meeting. I hope there weren't kids there. How unprofessional, that makes us look so bad. No wonder our kids are in trouble they don't have good leaders as role models.
I think they need anger management if that's how they're going to act.
I saw the news and saw Greene too. I think there's more to it. You don't know if he has issues at home, was sick, had a bad day. We should reserve judgement and remember we aren't all perfect too. I'm sure the above poster has lashed out at people too.
Don't forget the emergency exit doors on the east side of the building. They connect to the city council chambers.
You are so wrong about enforcing curfews in the park. It is a good idea. If the curfew would have been enforced on June 14th there would not have been a murdder at the park. The people living around there would not have had their houses pierced by bullets. The Park Department would not have had to replace broken glass and make repairs to their maintenance building.
You have to live through the nightmare of that night to appreciate the danger it exposed. Innocent people being gunned down in a public park is just wrong. We should take steps to do all we can to restore safety in our parks system.
9:09pm - You stated we have to live through the nightmare to appreciate the danger. I agree there was a lot of property damage. I agree it was tragic a girl lost her life. But remember, people slept through the whole thing. The blog writers said so. Do you want the parks closed and the curfew enforced, or do you want the police on the streets? The police were at a violent incident in Raytown, and part of the police force had to leave there and go to the park. Please don't suggest park employees are trained or capable of running off a pack of violent teenagers from the parks.
But you can't enter those...
Wrong. The police logs show 2 car checks. They left a car check to go there. All the reported shooting (6) that night they said there wasn't anything to them.
Unless you think they are falsifying reports, perhaps these auditors should hear from you.
Also he was 30 minutes late to the meeting.
Folks----pay attention to the time that meetings start.
It is RUDE to come in and make a lot of racket to draw attention to yourself.
Seeing how I have not only have it recorded but also and alderman came in 15 minutes after me... This may also not be true.
You lied again! You won't post the meeting in its entirety because you didn't get there until 6:30. And you left in the middle of the meeting. Also, Janet Emerson, the alderman to whom you referenced did come in late, but she isn't on the committee. What difference does it make what time she came? Jason is right. It's time we took back our city. Either stop the hateful rhetoric or go somewhere else. Every time you tell a lie, you're going to be called out. You're done. We will let everyone know what you say is a lie or only partially true.
July 21, 2019 at 7:31 AM
YESSSSSSSSSS!!!! Thank you!!
Also, she did NOT make a big racket when she came in to say LOOK AT ME.
I thought they changed the live concerts from 6 to 7 start time because 6 was so inconvient... wonder why Mike made these at a time he considers inconvenient
1:29 - We're not sure what you're referencing. Do you mean the Music in the Park live concert? That has always been at 7:00 in the evening. Are you talking about the Ad Hoc Committee against Crime? It was posted on the city's website on the 11th of July that the meeting would start at 6:00. Please be less ambiguous.
Please reference the Mayors comments during the last meeting. It's only a couple minutes long, he says the time of the ad hoc and also mentions the live concert show times.
Ladies and gentlemen, lets stop the in fighting. Thats what we are all trying to do anyway, right?
Just apologize to each other, swallow your pride, and start helping all in the city not just your little cliques on both sides.
At our present murder rate per 100,000 we are more violent than Kansas city. We are in the top 5 most dangerous cities in America. Our little small town. Last year we would've been 4th on the list. This year we are worse than Kansas city (with it's own rash of killings) and Dekalb County (Atlanta). And that's assuming we had zero more the rest of the year, at this pace we will pass even St Louis and become the most dangerous place in America and people on the board are worried about their pride and a few words. Sad times my friends.
i heard there were the same amount of citizens at the mayors city wide meeting as there were at gregs parks meeting, its sad more people dont get involved. Im also worried that there werent any community members on the community board.
Dear July 18, 2019 at 8:11 AM;
wait multiple people weren't there on time? maybe it was a bad start time. One must also wonder why there's only a problem with just one of those people coming in late when others did the same. Perhaps there's special rules for that one lone citizen. seems fair.
7:50......It wasn't a bad start time. All members of the committee were there on time. There were about a dozen concerned citizens there - again on time. There were only two people who came late. The committee members had input as to the time of the meeting. It wasn't a unilateral decision.
"Im also worried that there werent any community members on the community board."
July 21, 2019 at 7:20 PM
There are two citizens on the Mayor's committee.
Since three or four people on here haven't had a hard time listening to it, perhaps you should ask a grandkid to help you out.
Seems there's a discrepancy, the recording said there were only 9 people there, and other posters have mentioned 3 or 4 of those came late. So either everyone else is wrong, or you are. I doubt there was a dozen citizens not on the committee there.
Tonight again siren after siren. When will it stop?
11:34 pm - Someone can't count. The citizens not on the committee were Reverend Bill, Reverend Angie, Janet, Mary Francis, Sandy, Vicky, Renee, Tony, Ron, Linda, Kat, Corey, and Fred. That's 13. Either someone was intentionally lying, or someone can't count. Which one do you think?
July 22, 2019 at 7:24 AM
Yes.
Some of the folks NOT on the committee were sitting at the table where the committee was sitting. The table was set up in a square shape.
All of the committee members were introduced at the beginning. If you had been on time for the meeting you would have witnessed this.
Tonight again siren after siren. When will it stop?
July 21, 2019 at 11:34 PM
Folks have medical emergencies, fires, and car accidents. Every siren is not crime related.
"If you had been on time for the meeting you would have witnessed this."
Sorry.
My comment makes it appear I am bashing July 22, 2019 at 7:24 AM which I am not!
I should have said if "one" had been on time for the meeting.
A few comments above mention several people (4) coming and going. So we would be down to 8, maybe 9 already.
Never said it was. House fires, car fires, they are all bad things I don't want to happen here. Sorry you think it's not a big deal someone got in a car wreck. I personally feel bad for the families.
That's what's wrong with this town, they only care about themselves.
"That's what's wrong with this town, they only care about themselves."
I don't get that feeling at all from that post.
No, we do care about others. There is a ton of community involvement in Raytown.
It's sad really, but the city has employed, at considerable costs, a new city administrator, assistant city administrator and interim police chief, yet we do not hear a single word from any of them regarding what they are doing to fight the crime and other problem in Raytown. Their was an issue with a vet service and animal control a while back, and when ask for comments by a new channel, the request was denied by the city administrator.
I guess their loyalty to Raytown extends only as far as a paycheck.
As the mayor and former alderman Steve Meyers have said many times if people really cared they'd show up to meetings. People don't and thus they do not care, it's simple.
The mayor gave everyone that came a chance to speak, of someone wanted to be heard they only had to show up. The community clearly didn't want to be heard and they have nothing to complain about.
He actually defended the animal abuse. That's worse then no comment. And if that's how they treat animals no wonder why they treat people the same.
I agree bullying is a huge problem. I think a lot of the adults need to take a social media break like they suggest for the kids. It's gotten out of hand recently, and it seems to be the same people.
I went back and watched the last city meeting online (I was out of town and just got around to it) it seems like there's quiet a bit of angst with this board to. There's quiet a bit of agreeing up there and I thought getting rid of one of the bulls would solve it, but sadly he was just replaced by others.
Did jason say he didnt post his first comment here on the thread? Wonder who was posting under his name and if they were just trying to stir the pot.
My other question is why he deleted his third comment after it had been up a while. I wish I would have screen shotted it, does anyone have a copy for the news?
Oh wow! Did you see the news, not just the fight. But the school board president is charged with a felony after an audit.
She was told in March she was under investigation on March and resigned the next day.
Lynch was told about the audit and resigned 3 days later.
I wonder of there is anything else in common.
While we are holding Tony responsible for all the ills of the city.
It's his fault the board and the former police chief screamed at each other and went outside at the budget meetings.
It's his fault an alderman pointed out officers were committing time clock fraud.
It's his fault the aldermen and parks went at each other for 3 months straight at every meeting.
It's his fault the mayor and aldermen were arguing last meeting.
He's been a busy little beaver I guess.
We all know the mayor is a dud, I wonder why the mayor pro tem hasn't and doesn't step in. Some may say she's staying above the fray, but I think she's pulling the strings behind the scenes to set herself up for a state run again.
I wonder how the troll liked the egg on his face last night. He chastised the park board about having a closed meeting at the park office. Tried to remind them about the auditors, etc. Then he found out there was no closed meeting. When I got home last night, I looked back at several park board agendas. The agendas for all of 2018 stated there "MAY" be a closed meeting. He just didn't bother to read. Anyway - it was nice!
I think it's ironic how so many admonish others to heal Raytown and then in the very same post bash someone.
I also find it ridiculous that none of the city's leaders have tried to step in when this happens. They all sit on the sidelines. When the mayor was yelling at aldermen last meeting no one corrected him for being unprofessional. When Tony called Jason a liar (truthful or not) no one said to stop. When Jason wanted to fight Tony no one told him to calm down.
Everybody wants to be a leader, but no one wants to lead. Instead of just talking about reducing violence or mending relationships and how everybody needs to work together, how about someone actually try. Instead we're on the news every night last week. Multiple murders, elected officials stealing, fights at public meetings, the police not responding.
No matter how much good someone wants to do we are only as strong as our weakest link. We have 100 churches and none of them have tried to do anything more than words. At this point the bars have a better track records of bringing people together. What a shame.
All of this is exactly why the mayor's 3 taxes failed and why the school district got 3 times what the city asked for. And the fire district got twice what the city asked for.
The city is so dysfunctional
Some folks say they want to help the city, but their actions make me wonder.
Motives need to be examined.
We are not on the same page and until the city is united no progress will be made.
"We have 100 churches and none of them have tried to do anything more than words."
A Raytown church hosts games for kids in one of the parks once a week I think.
Two pastors were at the crime prevention meeting.
What should the churches be doing to help?
Watching a Marvel movie and a thought crossed my mind. What If all this is the same sentiment as law abiding citizen, the punisher, Batman or any of those where a lone citizen seeks to cleanup the city at any cost to themselves and the masses just don't get it and are blind to the corruption until the end?
Really? 100 churches? I googled churches in Raytown and could only find 35. A lot of them have very active youth programs. They have summer activities and vacation bible school for the kids. You don't know what you're talking about.
It seems they are very effective, we only have 6 kids get murdered EVERY year. That like a 1 in 1500. Not bad.
You don’t know anything about the “kids” who get murdered.
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