Happy Fourth of July to all of our readers . . . from Greg and Paul
The
top portion of the original draft document written by Thomas Jefferson, with
additions-deletions by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.
Paul's Rant! BY PAUL LIVIUS
Another Fourth of July is upon us. This year’s celebration in Raytown is
unique. Some members of the Board of Aldermen wanted to extend the number of
days fireworks could be legally shot off in Raytown. The majority of the Board
voted to amend the ordinance cutting the days for legal shooting back to the
Fourth of July and the Fifth of July should the Fourth be rained out.
At this point, the Board had yet to finalize the amended. One alderman
shared with Greg that and amendment may be forthcoming adding the Fifth of July
only if the Fourth of July is rained out. Sounds like a fair compromise.
We have nothing against shooting off of fireworks to celebrate our nation’s
Declaration of Independence. But we do believe, as the picture at the head my
article depicts, that people should be mindful and courteous in their
celebration.
This does not just go for combat veterans and dogs. As one guest speaker
pointed out during Public Comments of the last Board of Aldermen, of her
neighbors had an autistic child who terrified of the loud explosions of
fireworks.
Celebration is fine, but it is also important to be good neighbors.
Park Board Deserves
an “A” for Effort
an “A” for Effort
Speaking of Fireworks . . . the Raytown Park Board has shown that it
listens to area residents. In fact, this year they did more than listen.
At the last meeting of the Board of Aldermen Raytown Park Board President Chris Rathbone told the public the Park Board was willing to pay extra for the service of the
Raytown Police Department. During Public Comments he said the Park Board had decided
to ask police to assign an officer to patrol those parks where the illegal
shooting of fireworks is a frequent problem.
Park Board members have long complained that Coleman Park, located at 59th
and Lane Streets, is a major concern as regards the illegal shooting of
fireworks.
According to Park Board sources, the clean-up of Coleman Park after the
Independence holiday is a massive undertaking.
Rathbone said the Park Board was willing to pay the salary, overtime and
any other expenses incurred for the service of a patrol officer.
He met with Chief of Police, Jim Lynch, to pass on the offer and request. Lynch told him no officers were available. Rathbone
said Lynch did not elaborate on the request.
173 comments:
The police are able to find officers to work off duty at a larger retail store that withholds tax dollars, but cannot find officers to work off duty at the city parks.
I sure hope the President of the Park Board documents any officers working at any location in Raytown that day off duty and request an investigation by the AG as to the misuse of taxpayers commissions, uniforms and equipment.
City owned property should always come first!
Not only can the Chief order mandatory overtime, he can easily arrange for the Off Duty at Walmart or HyVee to be a deputy instead and use the Officer for patrol. Or he can deputize the deputy. He likes control so much, it's a wonder he didn't think of this, or maybe he did and he wants to have the narrative of short staffed so the city can steal more money.
Greg thanks for everything you do and have a very nice 4th of July Independence Day.
This is unbelievable, only in Raytown would an elected official who is trying to pass a 3 million dollar a year increase for his department in less than 45 days tell the Parks department none of his officers are interested in working overtime. Can you say spoiled? How hard up can the Cops really b if they do not want to make overtime? If you didn’t have enough proof before that this whole rush to grab more taxpayer money was a scam, now you do. The City cannot be trusted with the money we currently give them and now they want to double that, I say you the city should take all those admin cops that occupy chairs at city hall and let them occupy chairs at the parks on the 4th or maybe you let the mayor who says he’s a cop first and let him be a cop in the park
I recall a poster on this very blog who said if you want the police to work off duty hire them.
Why if the parks department is willing to hire them is there an issue?
It has already be pointed out on this blog that the police will be working off duty for Jackson County at the sports complex, which is considered a park.
yes. the cops in raytown are "spoiled".
good grief people. Maybe you should ask some questions rather than just lather each other up.
just got to thinking about this and how ridiculous some of this is. no one realized if the police are working for the parks department it’s a city function and therefore would be overtime rather than off-duty? But out of the Parks budget
Off duty pays more for junior officers than overtime does. Simple facts.
Because the younger officers make more per hour working offduty than they do overtime. And would you want to sit in a park for 4,5,6 maybe more hours, doing absolutely nothing? Keep it up and tgere won’t be any officers willing to work in that city.
The Chief of Police/City Marshal has a moral and ethical covenant with the citizens of Raytown to ensure the laws of our City are followed. If his officers are not willing to do do so, then the buck stops at his desk
moral and ethical covenant over fireworks? what about mattress tags being cut off in mass, or people spitting on sidewalks like it's armageddon? such drama. just vote him out of office...this is really silly.
Give it a try and watch the lawsuits happen. People do need time off, whether you agree or not. Go ahead and make the city even more libel. People in this city continue to amaze me. Good luck.
Police officers, dispatchers, and jail staff work weekends and holidays year after year. If a few are so lucky to have the 4th off on how their schedule falls, you think they’re going to jump at the chance to work another holiday? They value every bit of “normal” life that everyone else takes for granted. I don’t blame them. You couldn’t pay me enough
Sure, drive away the staff that decided not to abandon Raytown like their peers did. No other city does that, good grief. Hmmm, I can work short staffed, for mediocre pay, and be micro managed by anonymous people on a blog AND always work holidays for the next 30 years!!!? Sign me up, lol
What exactly IS the law regarding fireworks, I was confused after the last board meeting
Why does everyone here insist on trying to drive away the few people that didn’t RUN AWAY from Raytown for better paying jobs?!? “Let’s reward them with criticism and even worse work conditions.”
"...only in Raytown would an elected official who is trying to pass a 3 million dollar a year increase for his department in less than 45 days tell the Parks department none of his officers are interested in working overtime."
Lynch just keeps moving from strength to strength, doesn't he?
Recruit, replace, reform.
At this point it's imperative.
6:51 What is wrong with you!
Do you not understand they work for the city and if the city says you will stay in one place for even the full 12 hrs of their shift well that goes with the job.
If they don't like that part of the job we don't need them nor does any other city.
I don't know about you but I sure cannot tell my boss what I will not do that is within my job description.
Lynch is what is wrong with Raytown and the biggest reason to vote NO on any future tax increase until he is long gone.
This issue could be fixed if the board would adopt an ordnance that officer could no longer us any city equipment and/or uniform for off duty work.
Make getting caught a felony and they caterer would be over and we would be in a better place.
It drives me nuts to hear words like " none of his officers are interested in working overtime"
Of course not when they can make double that and easier too by taking on the "part-time" gigs.
Back when I worked, if I told my boss I couldn't work the weekend because I had something that paid better, I would have been fired on the spot.
Our "chief" sounds like a dog being wagged by the tail. Actually, I really think he has a very bad attitude and does not want to do right by the citizens. He needs to move on. The city should do whatever necessary to get him to perform or else.
Additionally, I posted this a couple weeks back. I hope Gregg don't mind me copying it forward.:
I would like to propose an ordinance from the "peanut gallery"
Some word smith can clean it up but the gist of it is:
The Raytown Board of Aldermen may from time to time designate certain critical days to be "all hands" days. Days, for example, such as July 4th, when it is determined that for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Raytown that all Raytown PD personnel that usually have the day off will instead report for patrol duty. No Raytown PD are permitted to engage in "off-duty" work on these "all-hands" days. The City is to have first dibs on the off-duty time of its PD man power on the special days.
Maybe New Years Eve is another possible day.
For some reason it just does not sit well with me the think our own Park Board might have to pay our own PD for patrolmen on the Fourth.
I'm sure there are the usual nay-sayers who will come up with why it will not work but maybe there is an alderman who will see a way it CAN work.
Just thinking out loud here.
Another poster called this idea "crazy" and that the guys needed their time off.
Calling BS on that!
Sorry for the double post. Had to do a minor edit.
"Our "chief" sounds like a dog being wagged by the tail. Actually, I really think he has a very bad attitude and does not want to do right by the citizens. He needs to move on. The city should do whatever necessary to get him to perform or else."
Is it possible, looking back over (what I consider to be) behavioral incidents in just the last year (yelling at an alderman outside of chambers, his recent rather terse, unhelpful response with Ms. Black), that this chief intends to retire after the conclusion of his latest term, and that until that time he's just letting it rip in any way he sees fit?
What are the lyrics to that party song?
"Wave your hands in the air like you don't care..."
If that is the case, he needs to step off. Now.
Fireworks in the parks is certainly not a "hands-on day". So police officers don't have kids, or spouses, or lawns they need to mow? I know I would NOT like working 12 hour days. I'd be half asleep at the end of my shift.
Let's all take a dose of reality and not get our panties in a wad over one day a year.
What would you do if a major disaster struck Raytown? You would be paralyzed with fear and "woe is me".
This blog is just like that Facebook page--good for some laughs. It's very obvious you have no clue what a job in law enforcement entails.
The law in Raytown regarding fireworks? As regards city parks it is very clear. It is illegal to shoot off fireworks in city parks. The police have the responsibility of enforcing that law.
Overtime is optional, anyone else have a family or a life outside of working hours? Think about that for a while
You’re exactly right. Most people on this blog wouldn’t last one week doing that job, especially for minimal pay and criticism from people who have no idea what they are talking about.
Snap Lie Alert! Minimal pay? There you go again. How about some numbers to back up your snap lie. Raytown Police are not underpaid. Check the salaries. And yes. I do know what I am talking about.
So many say the police are understaffed and can't keep up with the crime in Raytown, but you want them to cover fireworks? Even though fireworks are annoying and illegal in parks, the police will be plenty busy with more serious crimes. Also, please don't call 911 about fireworks on the 4th. 911 is needed for life and death situations, which fireworks are not. So much drama.
I have said this once, and I'll say it again. Close the parks down during the evening of the 4th of July. Install gates on the entrances. Problem solved. This is really a Parks and Recreation Issue and they need to figure out how to address this issue in a cost effective way with the resources that they have.
6:14 FACT Check
The police department has had the patrol division on 12 hr days for years.
7:05 FACT Check
Over time can be forced on employees just check with the department of labor
7:07 FACT Check
Most of the criticism you complain about is "FACTs" and today people hate "FACTs".
Keep in mind most of this would go away if Lynch would move on as he has caused all of the issues with the department and it is way past time for him to take ownership.
Newbie,
You seem to be one of the few who actually understand at the end of the day the police officers work for the city, which is the Alderman as they set the ordinances, policies and funding for the city.
All Lynch under the law does is manage the day to day operations of the department and with a vote of the people, which is long over due, can end him as a problem by making the job appointed as all of the successful cities have done.
Police chiefs work to unite their cities.
"Only in Raytown" does the police chief serve as the leading cause of the great split in out city.
Sorry I don’t deal with chilgpdish people who feel the need to use that dumb saying. And yes the police everywhere are underpaid. You couldn’t do the job, guarantee you that much.
What’s funny is they cannot force the cops to work, but they do force EMS employees to work all the time. The cops have no problem getting their work agreement signed, but the EMS employees have not been able to get one in 15 years. It’s no wonder the unions are against the City and their tax proposals. Guess it’s good to be cop in a town where the mayor is a cop first. All I can say is I wonder how they will figure out how to give the gas tax to the cops as well if it passes
Why does Raytown still have an elected police chief when you can never contact hi or see him out on patrol.
Poor leadership
Dear Doc,
I have had several individuals at my home asking me to vote "no" this Aug 7th for some union thing.
I want to understand why all this push form the unions and why I should care.
I am guessing you will know as you are a fire fighter and I understand all fire fighters are in a union.
I should share the struggle I am having is why all the unity and push from all the unions on this, but "NO" other unions came and stood with the United Retail Workers earlier this year with their idea to reduce the hardship Walmart was creating on all of us.
1:15 -
It's true the EMS hasn't had a contract for 15 years. But Mike hasn't been mayor all those years. Why aren't you blaming David Bower or Sue Frank? They were mayor, collectively, for 16 years.
Also, no one can give the gas tax to the police. By state law, the funds raised by the gas tax MUST be used on the streets. There are no other options.
If fireworks are our biggest worry...we're either not paying attention to real crime...or there isn't any to worry about.
It's a shame you don't have a donate button! I'd definitely donate
to this outstanding blog! I guiess for now i'll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feedd to my Google account.
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Chat soon!
8:50 am
Who said the police aren't on 12 hour shifts?
I didn't. Go back and read my post. I said I wouldn't like to work 12 hour shifts.
Be more careful in your reading. Apology accepted.
Here we go again.
No one is criticizing our officers.
On the other hand...
Stand up, Lynch. You're IT.
1:15
The point is unless there is something that says the general fund cannot be reduced by the current percentage from the general fund to public works the city will just reduce the general fund by that same amount.
Stop taking advantage of others.
8:25 So a fire from fireworks is not a life and death issue.
Never thought of it that way.
Lynch 101
Public works get a gas tax which brings in 200,000.
Public works get 2,000,000 from the general fund.
End of the budget year if not before 200,000 will be transferred from the public works general fund money to the police department.
That is how our police deportment has been laundering money for years!
As I have listened to the fireworks the last several nights it is clear we don't need more cops we need professional ones.
Enforce the law or find a new job
OMG The thought process of some people
Yes, Sue and David had 16 years in office
BE REAL!!!
Mike has almost 4 years in and never has fixed EMS, but if someone start talking about the police department he cannot control himself in defending them when time and time again they have been wrong.
Believe in Raytown and it’s people. Don’t lose faith. No more game playing, let’s fix our City.
The sentiment is good. Let's fix our city. But let's be realistic. The status quo, the way things have been run for the last two going on three years is definitely not a winning game plan for Raytown. Extreme partisanship by the Mayor and some of the city council that believes we should only fund the police department at the expense of the rest of the city is not a good way to govern. In fact, it is a lousy way to run a city. You want pride in Raytown? Put more emphasis on your infrastructure, your streets, your neighborhoods. That is what makes a city a success story.
I wish more of them at city hall would come to understand it is the best path to improving Raytown. There are many who read this who believe it. The next hurdle is to convince the politicians (yes, even those that wear a uniform) come to that conclusion. It is the best path for Raytown's future.
Because it’s a fourth class city. And you wouldn’t see an appointed Chief on patrol either. Depends if you want the people to pick the chief or the 10 people on the board! Personally, glad the people actually have a say rather than 10 people who can’t agree on much.
"Spoiled" your joking right? Officers have been working overtime for months because of the shortage of officers.You want to call them spoiled because those that are lucky to have the day off what to spend the holiday with their family!Tell you what why don't you give up your holiday to watch some fools shoot off fireworks in the park.
Raytown Cops don't go to that disturbance injury accident missing child. Enfore the fireworks law stop those kids from shooting fireworks in the street. I'm sorry but that is crazy. I hope your not the one having a real emergency when their out enforcing fireworks laws. That would just be something else to gripe about.
I hear the mayor called off the city council meeting tonight. Good news is the fireworks ordinance did not pass because they still have not voted on it. The sad news is that it does not make a difference. The police will still not enforce the prohibition on fireworks except on the Fourth of July.
Keep it up guys of the RPD. This lack of concern for doing your job only piles more debris on your image.
How did it get to this point where the police refuse to do their job and city council and mayor pretend that it is okay?
So cops are called regarding fireworks. They show up. Perpetrators see them coming and take the fireworks in the house. No fireworks are seen. Po Po leave.
Rinse Repeat
Rinse Repeat
IMHO we have much bigger issues in Raytown than fireworks.
Let's say 50 folks call police regarding illegal fireworks.
By the time they can get to call #50 the folks may be already done shooting them off.
When he was Chief of Police, Kris Turnbow used to go out on patrols regularly. It was not uncommon to see him show up with his officers in the field. Is there something wrong with him doing that? I don't think so.
We got problems at city hall. It is not with the rank and file of the department. It is much futher up the ladder. It seems like many of our leaders put more effort into making excuses rather than finding solutions. It really needs to change. Turmoil like we are seeing in Raytown is not good for anyone. Identify the problem and fix it.
Ignoring it and defending the problem will not make it go away.
7:29 you are right it is call we lack a professional police department, but we also know that always starts with the direction from the top.
Lora
Have you every done a ride a long or been in law enforcement
Clearly NOT!!!
Dispatchers send the officers out on calls unless they come across something and inform dispatch they are on a call if a priority call (true emergency as you call it) comes in they will pull them to those calls.
You might want to be shocked to learn this includes pulling an officer out of issuing a ticket for speeding.
Silly me this is Raytown and Lynch doesn't have those issued anymore, which has one of reasonable thinking ask how many accidents could have been prevented or child molesters caught on a speeding violation, but our officers are just to good to enforce the laws.
Yes it is simple traffic stops that helps to catch up with those sex crimes violators who fail to keep registered. However,, you have to enforce traffic laws to catch them using this method.
Please stop buying the lazy ways of Lynch and know there are proven ways to have a professional police department.
Exactly!
Yeah, imagine that. There are calls way more important than fireworks. Some people, on this blog especially, could really do with a ride along to learn there are other calls, way more more important than someone shooting fireworks. Maybe if there were gates at the parks, cars couldn’t get in, therefore they couldnt shoot them off.
Hot Topic o'the day is the Raytown Police Dept.
Registration is now OPEN for the Raytown Police Dept's Citizen's Police Academy!!!!
Come get an inside look at how the Raytown Police Dept operates.
When: Sept. 5-Nov.7,2018 (Wed)
Where: Raytown Library
Time: 6:00pm-8:30pm
Cost: FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE Did I say FREE?????
To Register: Call library at 816-353-2052
Or register ONLINE at https://mymcpl.org/events
Or register in person at the Raytown Library.
Registration required prior to first class. Prospective participants must complete a background check. Must be 18 (or 16 w/ parental permission.)
Topics: Patrol Operations, SWAT, Crime Scene Investigation, Role Playing Exercises, Communications & Dispatch, and much more.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
All everyone wants to do is gripe and complain. Do something about it or pick up your carp and move! Your doing nothing for this city but bringing it down by hate and negativity. Sign up for the citizens academy do a ride along find out about the police department go to a board meeting instead of sitting behind a keyboard and spreading hate. Haters are bringing this city down not the Mayor or the Chief or the police. The power is in the people so make a difference!
The Mayor called off the Board Meeting due to a lack of a Quorum. Now I won't get into the reasons why, except to say that some Aldermen have legit reasons for being unable to attend.
Not the Mayor's fault. Would be silly to hold a meeting when you know there won't be a quorum, and his critics would of used that against him.
Wish we could stop all the spin, and start talking truthful.. I know it seems like fun, to spin a situation against a person no matter what the outcome, but it gets old, and it's not honest behavior.
I am a taxpaying resident, and I am getting sick and tired of the politics in this town. Fix my City, or retire... Very simple. Very direct. Have a good 4th of July.
Sounds like the best way to fix the police issues is an appointed chief
8:57 am wrote "Silly me this is Raytown and Lynch doesn't have those issued anymore, which has one of reasonable thinking ask how many accidents could have been prevented or child molesters caught on a speeding violation, but our officers are just to good to enforce the laws."
Inquiring minds want to know - nationwide, how many child molesters have been arrested due to a traffic stop in the past 10 years?
He is not trying to get millions for his department the city is trying to get taxes for many needs including the police. The CITY portion of you taxes has not gone up in over 20 some years. That is the cities account to pay their bills out of. It is about busted. So let’s be real here. None of the needs of this city has anything to do with one person or thing.
They’re totally legal in Kansas City Missouri. They have lots and lots of cop. Doesn’t do much good to have all those cops and all those laws they’re totally legal in Kansas City Missouri. They have lots and lots of cop. Doesn’t do much good to have all those cops and all those laws win The citizens don’t want to obey the law. What are you gonna do throw them all in jail
The mayor is in a unique place that he seems not to realize and that is in fact he is now Lynch's boss.
As mayor he can set the direct of the city by working with the Alderman and in doing so can still be the police officer he wants out of loyalty to the department he loves.
It starts by making it clear that by July 15th all vehicles will have the GPS installed and working or he will be forced to contact the Governor and request the MP division of the MO National Guard be called up to serve as our officers until the cars meet the requirements of the Board of Alderman.
It is followed by a call to the news media that the actions of our elected city marshal have been out of line and his policies no longer fit the needs of our community nor the expectations of the citizens and he respectfully request that he resigns as did the Jackson County Sheriff a couple of months ago. If after July 15th he still hasn't needs to request that the Jackson County Prosecutor start the process to force him from office. Let us all be honest with each other and ourselves there is more than enough that says it is long past time to move Mr. Lynch on.
Mr Mayor you say you want what is best for Raytown so stop talking the talk and putting your words into action.
10:55 How about a better look inside the police department come from the state auditors office
Lora
Will you still stand behind them if a state audit, investigation from the state attorney or DOJ prove otherwise?
You do understand the icing is on the cake and the facts of corruption are talked about all over town.
This is not hate of Raytown it is about the end of waste and the good old boy system.
Get out more as the facts are all around town you just have to seek the truth and not the word of those doing harm to the city by using their elected positions to fatten their wallets.
Child molesters, drug dealers, human traffickers, illegal immigrant smugglers, thieves.
Does the numbers mater of the fact that Lynch is NOT protecting Raytown the point that I take it 8:57 is trying to make.
Keep in mind we KNOW before the waste was removed from the police department Lunch dropped tickets in Raytown to a low of 2 a day and word on the street is 2 a month is now a high number.
On behalf of not just 8:57 do the numbers really matter!!!!
Peter Weber,
Is not even one off the street a good thing?
http://www.kfvs12.com/story/36788761/in-custody-sex-offender-who-ran-from-traffic-stop-in-johnson-co-il-arrested
Peter Weber,
I guess you don't like the way they caught Harry Stones killer either.
Not a traffic stop, but traffic related
https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article59297003.html
"the facts of corruption are talked about all over town"
What facts? Post them here. (Please no personal vendettas.)
10:55 "How about a better look inside the police department come from the state auditors office"
If an audit proves no malfeasance, will the critics here apologize for the slander, libel, and defamation?
Just wondering.
This blog has lost its damn mind! First, the chief can’t be appointed until the city is no longer a 4th class city. Second, unless you know how a police department should work in 2018 and beyond and not in the 1970’s, you have no clue what you are talking about. Yes, the Pd has a couple of issues, too top heavy and no traffic unit, but unless you’ve done the job on any level, you’re opinion is just that, an opinion. Yes firework calls are answered eventually, but many other calls take presedence over someone shooting fireworks. The police can’t fix the world, especially in today’s society where everyone’s feelings get hurt so easily. They are predominately a reactionary group, especially in Raytown since the traffic unit was eliminated. So glad to be done with this city.
Some folks don't like the way the Chief runs the department. Get it.
Allocation of resources, budgeting, hiring the best employees, goal setting, et al. is what managers do.
Some want a candidate w/law enforcement experience. Managing is managing. If you can manage you can run a police dept.
Guys, you're beating a dead horse. The police have been cut. how many fewer do you want? I saw on another forum that one is 6 times more likely to be a victim of violent crime in raytown than in lee's summit. The source of info was from the state so I take it to be accurate.
all this complaining does nothing. The chief is in the middle of a term as are many of the alderman. vote them out when the time comes... I'm sure whoever replaces them will be as perfect as you want them to be.
the alderman set the budget...every year. The police dont set their own budget. has some mass conspiracy been going on all this time? we all know that this board won't give the pd any of the new tax money, if they pass. as i understand it, there's fewer police here now than has ever been. it's the new raytown...plan accordingly.
It’s like the Battle Of Stalingrad at my house.
Actually KCPD stopped the car, found the gun and their crime lab matched it to Harry Stone
Jokes on you I am a dispatcher for Raytown. So I know exactly how it works! Don't try to act like you know me because clearly you DONT! Oh by the way I've done plenty of ride alongs.
So your in law enforcement? Because you think you know how it works. Your right there are less tickets issued Not because Lynch said stop writing tickets. Its because officers are going call to call the department is short on officers right now. Have you not been paying attention? Officers are to busy going call to call not enough right now to issue tickets. That will all change soon when new hires are trained. And yes I know what I'm talking about. I know the facts unlike most of the hate spreaders on here.
One thing I have gotten out of all the post is there is what appears to be a small group of unleashed people that believe no matter what the police can do no wrong.
At the same time a larger group that doesn't understand nor can they get an answer as to why laws are not being enforced.
I don't know about the rest of the people but I expect the police to do their job, which means enforce the laws and if they are not doing that why are we paying them.
Don't jump to conclusion that I am saying we don't need someone law enforcement I am saying we have other options of which some I have read on this blog:
Appointed Chief
Hiring the sheriff department
Hiring another city
In any case out top elected official is the Mayor and before he is asking for tax for the police and I have been to a couple of events and he was he need to first make sure we are getting service for our tax dollars today and too many have made shared that has not happened for many years.
"He is not trying to get millions for his department the city is trying to get taxes for many needs including the police.
So let’s be real here...
None of the needs of this city has anything to do with one person or thing."
Attn "Let's Get Real" and "Let's Be Real" contingent:
Let's get real. When we're assured that competent, ethical officeholders that are elected into office, we'll wholeheartedly vote for multiple tax increases.
Until that time, not one additional thin dime.
The "mayor" and "police chief" must be replaced as soon as possible.
I'm disappointed the police department doesn't have better educated people. Perhaps it's because of the budget cuts. Case in point, Lora, you mean "you're" instead of "your", "it's" not "its", and finally " officers are to busy" should be " officers are too busy".
Maybe the tax increase will help.
Why are my comments not showing up were they not approved and if not why
You may email me at shiremanl@yahoo.com to explain
I heard Raytown had 4 fires yesterday.
I wounder how many were because of fireworks.
"How about a better look inside the police department come from the state auditors office"
"If an audit proves no malfeasance, will the critics here apologize for the slander, libel, and defamation?"
-------------------
Cut the drama. A request for sorely-needed, long overdue oversight isn't "slander, libel or defamation".
Snowflake, betcha you'd melt straight away if you ever ran into the real thing.
How much sales tax did the fireworks generate?
Why not a special 5 cents on the dollar fireworks tax?
Tax would be spent as follows:
3 cents to police to pay overtime and have all officers out on patrol starting 2 days before the holiday
1 cent to parks for cleanup
1 cent to help veterans who are impacted by the sounds
Dear Mary Wilson...
You wouldn't last a full shift as a dispatcher!
EXTREMELY stressful job.
PLEASE keep your condescending comments to yourself, Miss Know It All!
9:14 No business has ever been success from throwing more money at it.
It comes from better management
Lora
The alderman have already proven the issue with tickets is not the cut is the management of the department
Sorry but the facts are the facts
10:34 am
Several folks have been accusing the chief of bad acts. The drama is coming from that camp. Lots of drama. It's getting boring and tiresome actually.
I thought it interesting that you didn't answer the question the poster had asked about apologizing. I guess that means "no" you won't apologize.
Well now the 4th is over and we can no longer argue about one day or two days whether or not the
police is doing their job.
How what other mundane subject can be whipped over and over?
Lora,
Jim needs to call you in and put a stop to you blogging your are making the department look worse and it does that too well today.
I am sorry for you that you have not had the opportunity to work for a professional department.
If you think I am wrong why was there never a layoff, but instead a bunch of officers that made their lives better by moving to professional departments.
11:41 Is that a justification that police stops work when there is a professional police department?
Lora,
Why did the dispatch manager leave all of a sudden?
Because it wouldn’t pass with this group. Taxes bad, live like it’s 1975.
Maybe because people are sick of false accusations and innuendos.
Lora, (maybe miss-spelled actually is Laura), but maybe not.
Why are my comments not showing up were they not approved and if not why
Maybe because your grammar is atrocious.... Just kidding.
I'm pretty sure Greg is an equal opportunity blog host. He's chastised me a couple times but mostly he will give you enough rope.
Try posting again.
How about you find out if there actually any fires in Raytown before assuming anything. Call the fire protection district. I’m sure they’d share the info with you. And yesterday was the 4th so they are legal.
Because this group thinks 1970’s tax rates are good in a bedroom community and they don’t like the actual truth.
The law. Have to be able to get certified by the POST commission within a year, which means going to and passing the academy. So no criminals need apply.
He was offered another job making more money.He left after 16+ years of service on very good terms.
"If you think I am wrong why was there never a layoff, but instead a bunch of officers that made their lives better by moving to professional departments."
The police dept didn't have to lay police officers off because they quit before it came to that.
Our officers are in high demand because we hire the best folks. They were snapped up pretty quickly.
Grammar police Mary Wilson please go get a real job or volunteer someplace and help the world.
You wouldn't last a day as a dispatcher.
Because so many left while they could, they didn’t have to lay anyone off. They saw the writing on the wall from the short sighted board and made the decision for them. I don’t blame them one bit. This town is slowly going down the drain but you all can’t see it in spite of being right in front of your face.
We responded to a total 26 calls for service yesterday with five fires yesterday. Four of them were in Raytown one was in Kansas City as part of our Automatic Aid agreement and crews were cancelled en route by first arriving companies.
The four inside Raytown City Limits two were reported as structure fires one of those was a outside trash rubbish fire next to a residence the second was a construction dumpster in front of a residence that is being remodeled. The remaining two fire were a dumpster fire at a apartment complex and a grass fire.
I cannot say if all or any were fireworks related as I was not on any of the calls.
I can say that we run the same calls with discarded cigarettes and discarded barbeque coals just as often.
I hope everyone had a safe and fun fourth of July and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
Capt Doc Summers
Raytown Fire Rescue
What I hate about this blog...when I get all riled up and spew my nonsense just right..then I have to wait for the mods to roll out of bed to "approve" of what I've written.
The Chief of Police telling all his patrolmen they were all going to lose their jobs probably helped fuel the exodus.
Check out the KC Star page 4A for the "butcher's bill" from this year's Fourth of July. In the Kansas City area there were two amputations caused by fireworks. More than 90 people had injuries so severe they required attention at area hospitals. Six people were admitted to the Grossman Burn Center at Research Medical Center because they had injuries so critical or severe they required specialized treatment.
Most people are careful with fireworks. Many are not. I witnessed two children, probably about 13 years old holding Roman Candles in their hands as balls of flame shot out the other end. Their parents were there as well, watching them.
I saw one display firework fall over on its side and shoot flaming balls that exploded after it fell. Thankfully, there was no one in the path of the explosion. The mixture of alcohol and fireworks is toxic. In the past Raytown has seen houses blown up, homes destroyed by fire and injuries that have left people scarred for life because of fireworks. Common sense says to stop this madness.
The City of Raytown is at fault. The license ten vendors to squeeze into an area two miles long and about half a mile wide for vendors sell their fireworks. No wonder Raytownes shoot off so many fireworks. The shooting of fireworks continued last night even though it is still illegal to shoot any other day but the Fourth of July in Raytown.
The police do not respond to fireworks violations. What's next, the ambulance refusing to respond because there are too many calls for service?
"What I hate about this blog...when I get all riled up and spew my nonsense just right..then I have to wait for the mods to roll out of bed to "approve" of what I've written. "And
Ah, the "H" word...
"Hate", "Hate", "Hate"....
If your words are so vital to the survival of Raytown...
If you so urgently require instant gratification...
May we suggest that you confine your comments to Unglued and all the magic that is Facebook.
OR! Start your own blog and stand by your computer 24/7 approving comments. And don't slack or we'll complain!
Problem solved!
Our police chief has been laundering money for years? LMFAO! The board approves all budgets. Everyone wants to blame the chief for fighting for as much as he can get for his department, but no one holds the board accountable for approving his budget year after year after year? You all assign WAY more power to the chief than he has. It's hilarious. The buck stops with the board. Not the mayor who doesn't even get a vote. Not the chief who takes what the board gives him. The board. For those of you that want to vote no on the taxes just because you think Lynch is a meanie....well our roads need $36 million in repairs NOW. Our town is falling apart and voting no on the taxes to spite a Chief who's damn near retirement anyway is ridiculous. Lynch will be gone soon and our roads will be falling apart, our police department will be in pieces and businesses will be running out of Raytown as fast as they can. You'd do all this to spite the Chief? Who's irresponsible again? We need this revenue. The solution is to pass the taxes and then show up to the voting booth again to vote OUT the elected officials you don't think are cutting it. Don't punish the residents of this fine city because you don't like the management.
All this whining and complaining about cops not patrolling the parks on the 4th? Here are a few things to understand....there was a MURDER in our town and we didn't even have the cops necessary to deal with that so we had to call in outside assistants. But oh no! Fireworks! When the city puts cops to work, it doesn't matter which department wants it....it's not off duty work. It's overtime. Paid for by taxpayers, not a private company. The fire chief already said there haven't been any fires related to the fireworks since they became legal. A cop sitting in a park isn't going to prevent a fire anyway. Our cops already sacrifice so much for their jobs. They work weekends and holidays. They miss out on family functions and kid activities. They risk their lives. Quit treating them like inanimate objects or tools. It's easy to sit on a blog and say "force them to work overtime" or "it's their job" when you're sitting at your computer. We are already understaffed. It doesn't matter who's fault that is or why we're in this situation....the bottom line is we are understaffed and there is already a heavy burden on our officers while they continue to make less money than their coworkers who left for more lucrative positions at other departments. It doesn't matter if you think our cops are well paid. They are paid less than all the other departments in the area, they are treated with less respect by the community and the city has all but abandoned them. Yet they stay. Just to have people on a blog treat them as less than human and demand they work on a coveted holiday they have scheduled off. Shame on all of you.
How ironic we have a murder in Raytown and the Highway Patrol is investigating it because our PD doesn't have the money to handle the case. What a convenient excuse just when the taxes are coming up for a vote. The fact of the matter is Chief you are playing our taxpayers for a bunch of fools. You just might be surprised on election day.
Short sighted board hahaha. I don't think you have followed the cutsbthe BOA has made the past three years.
I have no problem with adults injuring themselves with fireworks, as long as they pay their own bills. You cannot make people smart.
What difference if its 10, 8 or 5? People still are gonna buy fireworks. I bet you think the war on drugs is working too.
The Police Department claims they don't have the manpower on the streets to write tickets and to investigate crime, yet the Administration Department only reduced staff by one Major. Seems PD is even more bloated and overpaid and staffed than before the much needed budget cuts. Lynch has GOT to go before any real changes will be made with the RPD.
So from now on, every officer will work around the clock, 24/7, to stop speeders. No time off until we stamp out the scourge of speeding! Lol, come on back to reality when you’re done...
Exactly. I’ll he people that stayed, even with city uncertainty looming, need a raise, to say the least
You can’t treat people like numbers. “Here’s your reward for sticking it out in Raytown, mandatory overtime and criticism. “
Let’s keep things in perspective. This whole discussion is just a couple people that don’t like the Chief. Let’s not let their personal bias alter our professional city workers. They are doing a great job.
So because of your personal bias and hate, you’re willing to see the city go under?? Petty, indeed
Guess what, Olathe pd is still hiring, so is lenexa, Independence, and Kansas City. They pay a ton more money and don’t have this crazy talk to contend with. Want 2 county deputies to patrol Raytown, keep talking
Chief Lynch is doing a fine job with the hand he was dealt
Snap lie is back! Haha
Exactly. Try a homicide, ON THE FOURTH OF JULY!!
What work agreement? Doesn’t exist
Considering there was a homicide that night, people need to sit down
“The police do not respond to fireworks violations. What's next, the ambulance refusing to respond because there are too many calls for service?”.
You’re exactly right. The ambulance has been doing that for years. It’s called “triage.” You can only do so much with what you have so you make choices.
Priority of life is above property and property crime is above shooting fireworks a day early.
That’s real world.
Thank you, Doc, for giving us the facts and squashing the fear mongering
Sometimes I get mad about what is posted here, but then I remember how irrelevant this group is. Moving on with life now...
Hello there 7:38 AM
While I agree with some of your sentiments, your geography knowledge is lacking. Raytown is roughly 2 miles by 5 miles. Not too many fireworks stands. IMHO.
Also, one day is plenty. Thank you Mr. Moore.
Thank you Capt Doc for the summary of the days events.
Wish we could get the same for the EMT and PD activity without having to drill down too deep.
Pd sends out an email once a day M-F listing all the reports they took that day. Open to public.
No, it’s manpower, not money. If you had ANY clue how much manpower a homicide investigation actually takes, you’d know that Raytown doesn’t have manpower any longer. When you’ve been cut below the bare bone by the board and roughly 44% of the people you do have are supervisors, it’s hard to investigate crimes. But honestly, before the cuts, KCPD crime lab has been used to process scenes because that’s what they do. Raytown just doesn’t have enough of those crimes to justify doing it themselves.
Amen!
Very well said!
"For those of you that want to vote no on the taxes just because you think Lynch is a meanie...."
Man! Has Suz been on a spree lately on this blog or what?
The passion.
The venom.
We could care less if Lynch is a "meanie".
Our all-encompassing concern is competence.
When a new marshal and mayor are elected, we'll revisit the tax increases.
Not until that time.
Oh yeah, they are short sighted and are killing this city. Whether you chose to open open your eyes or not is your business. They control all the purse strings in the city, period. The city is being killed slowly but some of you all chose not to see it. So be it. When you’re paying kcmo taxes because of your personal vendettas, have fun with that. I’ll pass on that clusterf$&@!
"Wish we could get the same for the EMT and PD activity without having to drill down too deep."
I get the RPD incident reports emailed to me every day.
What else do you need?
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you need to write more about this subject,
it might not be a taboo matter but typically folks don't speak about such issues.
To the next! Cheers!!
Out of town Susan has a question and answer site up on Raytown Unleashed about the upcoming taxes. What a joke. this woman thinks she is a know it all. If I want my questions I will go an alderman and find it out, not from this woman and her bunch of know it alls, or so they think.
After reading Capt Doc comments...
Does Capt Doc reside in Raytown?
If so, perhaps he should consider running for office here.
Before ya say no thank you, Capt Doc, your sincerity and contributions have been noted and greatly appreciated.
People notice, respond with respect and would support you.
"When you’re paying kcmo taxes because of your personal vendettas, have fun with that."
There's no "vendetta".
To put money into the hands of some of the current officeholders would equal nothing but continuing waste, incompetence, lack of oversight, lack of accountability and the all too frequent and embarrassing behavioral abberrations.
We're not giving in to the "the sky is falling" crowd. This isn't their first go-round with all the propaganda. We tire of their histrionics. Some of them are probably squarely under the thumbs of the people that so desperately need to be replaced.
The City will not go bankrupt in the next 18 months to 2 years.
Are the roads miserable? In some places, absolutely.
Police chief and rumored top-heavy command staff: get out of your offices more often, roll up your sleeves and support your officers when needed, if indeed an issue exists in the first place. We pay you well. Get more creative.
Make do until the "mayor" and "police chief", minimum, are replaced at election time.
After all these years of mismanagement, it's time to dig in our heels, recruit qualified, sincere candidates and elect them into office.
We'll gladly take the chance. Not throwing more cash at the same group of people.
This is the political battle that’s being waged. One side thinks they can do things better. Let’s discredit the mayor and the chief and meanwhile the entire City has to wait for progress? I don’t think so. I want to get things moving now! I want all encompassing change and each piece has to be taken care of one step at a time. There’s no need for the City to wait for change. The time is now! Elections are in April and more change will come.
Must be budget season soon because the spin doctor known in these parts as Chief Lynch is in mid season form. First he was trying to sell the theory to Alderman Black patrolling the parks on the 4th was a challenge due to officer reductions. Yet the people and nearby neighbors of the assorted parks who spoke that evening complaining of previous large amounts of people firing off fireworks which are illegal in the parks, occurred in years past when his department was FULLY STAFFED and funded. Snap Lie Lynch. Busted. Now comes the spin no doubt from his dept concerning the MO State Hwy Patrol having to assist in the homicide occurring in Raytown due to low Officer resources. Give me a break. Heck the shooter was arrested at the scene. We still have detectives right. Maybe a few less but hey if other resources are available I don’t remember Lynch telling the citizen’s last year that would occur. Only that the sky was going to fall in. You know same message some of his officers heard and they felt the need to seek other options. I believe the PD has hired 5 additional officers since the fire sale as well. Tis The Season!
The Chief was told 5 weeks out from the approval of the budget he would have to cut 2.7 million from his budget. He informed the public of what that could mean. His Officers figured out what that meant to feeding their families and went elsewhere, where their jobs weren’t in jeopardy from more possible budget cuts. It’s that simple.
"Chief Lynch is doing a fine job with the hand he was dealt"
Punctuation, Mikey! Punctuation!!!
That begs the question then, do we need 44 percent supervisors? That seems high. Perhaps some of those supervisors could be frontline now...
This is false. They reduced a major because he retired, the other major was temporarily a capt but after a few short weeks was once again a major.
Better paint a picture so you can understand. ALL the fireworks stands in Raytown are located in a narrow strip of property pretty much from 63rd Street south to 350 Highway. They are spread about a mile across from west to east. The city allows ten licensees to sell fireworks. All of these locations crammed into such a small area is over-kill. It also is probably why Raytown is notorious for its much ignored laws on shooting of fireworks. By the way, I have read on some posts that Lee's Summit and other cities allow fireworks on more days than the Fourth of July. Which is true. The big difference is those cities only allow the shooting of fireworks for about two hours in the evening...and the police enforce their laws! What a novel idea!
Things are stretched thin folks. The idea that our police department has time to deal with fireworks violations is ludicrous. This town will have no choice than to ask KC to annex us if we don’t get our act together. I give it 15 years and it will happen.
That bull right there on the LSPD doing any better at it.
Have relatives in LS. The fireworks were just as bad and being shot after hours as when I got home to Raytown
The face book crowd appears to be at it again. One line posts. A solution to all of our problems in ten words or less. If you guys think making Jim Lynch your poster child will pass your tax increases you are very much mistaken. There are many people in Raytown who are tired of the bullying tactics, the whining and especially tired of no solutions coming from city hall. The Park Board offers to pay overtime and equipment to patrol a park on the Fourth of July. He says he does not have the officers to handle it. Yet there are officers working for less money at Walmart the day before and after the holiday. A City Councilwoman asks if his police will respond to calls for service regarding fireworks violations. He waffles and dances around the question.
You guys are living in a bubble propped up by your cell phones. Look for a lot of NO votes on August 7th.
Here’s the problem with your “argument”. Most young officers make more at the offduty rate than overtime. So that argument is bogus. Anyone captain and above doesn’t get overtime so that takes 5 out of the question. And people deserve time off, whether you all think so or not.
Rooting for your town to fail. How nice. I don’t need to write paragraphs to one up you.
"Rooting for your town to fail. How nice. I don’t need to write paragraphs to one up you."
Why do you feel the need to "one up" anyone?
"One up..." Those of you that recognize who wrote that comment please raise your hand!
Nowhere did the author of the comment state that he/she wanted to see the city "fail".
The city isn't going to "fail" when these tax increases "fail".
Sounds like someone needs to go paint some more rocks and slide into a more positive frame of mind.
Very interesting story in today's KC Star. It may partly explain why Raytown PD disbanded the traffic division.
Due to recent legislation passed because of municipal court abuses in Ferguson, MO, the enforcement of traffic violations has become nearly impossible with offenders just not showing up for court. The problem is so widespread that several local PDs and municipal courts have actually shut down. The examples cited included Holt, Platte City, Mosby, and the infamous Randolph among others.
I wonder how this legislation has affected our own municipal court.
9:34 I know many private companies require their employees to be first ready to work for them over a part time job, which is what the off-duty work is.
Sounds like it is time to set rules and expectations and if the young officers don't like it show them to the door as with out the commission they will not be working off duty any way and the problem is solved.
Grow up and stop the excuses we cannot do anything.
State Audit
July 7, 2018 at 10:08 PM
Very pithy! Love it!
Their personal hatred is getting in the way of the city's best interests.
Folks--we can see through that a mile away.
"I get the RPD incident reports emailed to me every day.
What else do you need?"
Less snarky and a more helpful... here's what you do to get the incident reports emailed to you.
Thank you.
I am not sure I understand the complaints about the highway patrol helping with some of the criminal activity in Raytown.
We all pay taxes to the state and it is nice to see some of those dollars coming back to us.
Guess we really don't need more money for the police as we have been paying it to the state for years and not getting anything in return.
https://piorpd.wordpress.com/2018/07/06/july-6-2018-incident-reports/
The City is already failing. Time to wake up!
"Their personal hatred is getting in the way of the city's best interests..."
There's that "h" word again. From the usual suspects, no doubt. "Hate" this, "hate" that...
What is on the "best interests" of the city isn't for you to unilaterally decide for the rest of us.
No new taxes.
July 8, 2018 at 10:36 AM
I fail to see the snarkiness in that post. People these days want everything spoon fed to them and don't want to do any research themselves.
A good place to start on how to get the daily incident reports would be the police department's website.
Willard Ross a mayor who put Raytown before his own interest.
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