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.
Comments
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!
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.
good grief people. Maybe you should ask some questions rather than just lather each other up.
Lynch just keeps moving from strength to strength, doesn't he?
Recruit, replace, reform.
At this point it's imperative.
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.
Make getting caught a felony and they caterer would be over and we would be in a better place.
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.
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 police department has had the patrol division on 12 hr days for years.
Over time can be forced on employees just check with the department of labor
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.
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.
"Only in Raytown" does the police chief serve as the leading cause of the great split in out city.
Poor leadership
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.
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.
to this outstanding blog! I guiess for now i'll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feedd to my Google account.
I look forward to brasnd new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group.
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.
No one is criticizing our officers.
On the other hand...
Stand up, Lynch. You're IT.
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.
Never thought of it that way.
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!
Enforce the law or find a new job
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Inquiring minds want to know - nationwide, how many child molesters have been arrested due to a traffic stop in the past 10 years?
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.
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.
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!!!!
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
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.)
If an audit proves no malfeasance, will the critics here apologize for the slander, libel, and defamation?
Just wondering.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maybe the tax increase will help.
I wounder how many were because of fireworks.
"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.
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!
It comes from better management
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.
police is doing their job.
How what other mundane subject can be whipped over and over?
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.
Why did the dispatch manager leave all of a sudden?
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.
"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.
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
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?
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!
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.
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.
Wish we could get the same for the EMT and PD activity without having to drill down too deep.
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.
"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?
it might not be a taboo matter but typically folks don't speak about such issues.
To the next! Cheers!!
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.
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.
Punctuation, Mikey! Punctuation!!!
Have relatives in LS. The fireworks were just as bad and being shot after hours as when I got home to Raytown
You guys are living in a bubble propped up by your cell phones. Look for a lot of NO votes on August 7th.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.