A Report on the
Raytown Police Department BY GREG WALTERS
I often hear from people who are frustrated in learning what is going on in Raytown. This is especially true for the one topic that is first on everyone’s mind. That topic is crime. The frustration leads them to question what the police are doing about it.
People naturally want to know what is going on. When they see the news on television or hear it on the radio of a major crime event, the mind goes wild with what “may” have happened. This leads to suspicion. The next question is “anything being done about it?”
The simple fact is there are not as many people entering the law enforcement field in the Kansas City area as there was ten years ago.
A major part of the problem goes back to 2020 when American cities were victimized by looting and riots. To put it plainly, it was not what most people had envisioned America to look like two decades into the 21st Century. This has had an impact on those who are willing to serve in police departments across our nation.
On April 30th the Raytown Police Department held its annual awards dinner.
It is open only to officers and their immediate family. They gather to show their appreciation for their brothers and sisters who work beside them in the Raytown Police Department.
Even though it is a closed event, the Raytown Report has obtained a list of award recipients in the Department. It puts to rest any question how the Department is responding to what is most definitely a crime wave that is plaguing Raytown as well as the rest of the greater Kansas City area.
The following is a list of those recognized at the dinner.
LIFE SAVING: Brandon Meyer / Clint Wallace / Trevor Shroyer, Haley Van Bibber
Corporal Brandon Meyer
On May
25th, 2021, Cpl. Meyer was dispatched to a residence on a suicidal subject
armed with a gun. When he got there, he found two men in the backyard pleading
with the suicidal party to put the gun down. The man exited the house with a
gun to his temple. Cpl. Meyer was able to keep the situation calm and talked
the suicidal subject into putting the gun down and surrendering peacefully.
Officer Clint Wallace
On Jan
31st, 2021, Officer Wallace was dispatched to a residence on a shooting. He was
the first officer on scene and immediately tended to the victim, who had been
shot in the thigh and was bleeding heavily. Officer Wallace applied a
tourniquet. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. According to
the trauma doctor, the victim had been struck in the femoral artery and if not
for Officer Wallace’s quick assessment and application of the tourniquet, would
have bled to death at the scene.
Corporal Trevor Shroyer
On June
12th, 2021, Cpl. Shroyer was dispatched on the sound of shots fired. He found
the victim running from the scene, bleeding from multiple gunshot wound to his
leg, pelvis, and shoulder. Cpl. Shroyer immediately applied a tourniquet to the
leg wound and directed a witness to hold manual pressure on the pelvic wound.
The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment in critical condition. If
not for Cpl. Shroyer’s quick assessment and application of the tourniquet and
direction to maintain pressure to the other wound, the victim would have bled
to death at the scene.
Officer Haley VanBibber
On Nov 15th, 2021, Officer VanBibber was dispatched to a residence to a residence to assist EMS with a 30 year old woman in cardiac arrest. Ofc. VanBibber immediately began CPR and continued 10 minutes until EMS arrived and took over. They were able to stabilize and transport the young woman to the hospital where she recovered after a stay in ICU. According to the hospital staff, Officer VanBibber’s quick assessment and application of CPR was implemental in the young woman surviving her cardiac episode.
CERTIFICATE
OF MERIT: Reed
Nelson / Samantha Stoner
Kyle Stoker, Corporal Trevor Shroyer
Corporal Trevor Shroyer
Corporal
Shroyer took initiative after noticing a dramatic uptick in opioid related
overdoses on calls for service. He spoke with members of the Raytown Fire
Department and nurses at Research Medical Center. He realized that police
department members could potentially be exposed to substances such as fentanyl
and he began a search for a way to source Narcan for members of the department.
Through multiple phone calls, emails, and in person conversations, Cpl. Shroyer
was able to source 60 units of Narcan at no cost to the department, which saved
us approx. $4500. He used his personal time and vehicle to acquire the Narcan
from different programs in two different counties. These units will provide
each member of the Department a lifesaving tool that can be used to help a
fellow officer or member of the community.
Officer Todd Fox / Detective Reed Nelson
Officer Samantha
Stoner
Officers
Fox, Nelson, and Stoner are being recognized for multiple incidents with
suspects where deadly force would have been authorized. However, due to their
quick actions and confidence in defensive tactics, they did not have to resort
to deadly force, but rather were able to take all three parties into custody
while fighting over deadly weapons. There were two separate incidents, several
months apart, with the same subject who has mental health problems. In one, he
was able to grab an officer’s knife off his tactical vest and had to be Tased
to be brought under control. In the second, during a physical struggle, he
tried to remove an officer’s pistol from the holster and was once again Tased
to be brought under control. In a third incident with a separate subject, these
three officers were able to physical restrain a subject armed with a gun who
was threatening passersby. In all three incidents, these officers were able to
get the suspects under control while keeping themselves, their fellow officers,
and the subjects safe.
Crime Analyst Kyle Stoker
In 2021, Crime Analyst Kyle Stoker earned the Certified Law Enforcement Analyst certification through the International Association of Crime Analysts. There are only two other Certified Analysts in the KC metro. In fact, there are less than 100 Certified Law Enforcement Analysts in the world. It took several years of preparation and study and Kyle displayed exceptional initiative, tenacity, and expertise in earning this Certification.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Paul Watts
Paul
Watts generously gives of his time, in both his role as in Volunteer Corps and
as a leader of the CERT Team. Not only
did Paul help with the setting up, tear down and transporting items for the
Popsicle with Police events but he also did great work in making the popsicle
cart better insulated and easy to work with.
He even added a bell. Paul also
brought CERT information to the events to help citizens even have more
resources for safety. He also wrangled
the CERT volunteers that assisted with traffic control at the Festival of
Trails, the Christmas tree lighting and the 5k.
In all these events he not only recruits enough volunteers but ensures
they have the tools and information they need to successfully handle their
assignments. In 2021, Paul procured a communications system, including a radio
repeater, which will be used later by CERT members in training and in times of
emergency. Paul was instrumental in forming the Raytown CERT HAM Radio Team, a
sub-team within CERT. That enhancement will increase the team’s capability to
respond and assist in emergencies. We are proud to recognize Paul as our 2021
Volunteer of the Year.
RESERVE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Melvin Norrington
Officer
Norrington, despite having full time employment elsewhere, comes in and works
on a regular basis. Officer Norrington picks up shifts during evenings to
assist night shift and will take report calls. When he is working off duty at
Walmart, he will assist us with calls when busy or involving a high priority
call. He will stay late if needed to assist even when he needs to be up early
for his full time job the next day. Officer Norrington has also picked up the
responsibility of taking over the Walmart Schedule. It is for these reasons
that we recognize Melvin as our 2021 Reserve Officer of the Year.
CIVILIAN OF THE YEAR
Mallory Harrison
Mallory
has dispatched for several critical incidents over the course of 2021,
including a house explosion. She held composure and continued to broadcast all
pertinent information before officers arrived on scene. While on scene, she
relayed information regarding possible injuries and the call nature to EMS and
Fire. Though the scene was hectic, all emergency personnel were able to perform
their duties fully due to the clear radio communication. She is persistent in
ensuring officers responding to calls of a known or unknown natures have as much
available information as possible prior to arrival on scene. Mallory recently
became a Public Information Officer to assist with press releases of critical
incidents; she is also a trainer for all new Raytown Police dispatchers. She
often assists on coverage between shifts, or is willing to stay over to assist.
Mallory goes above and beyond to ensure she not only assists the citizens of
Raytown, but also the officers responding to all incidents. She is always
willing to help both officers and dispatchers with any questions or concerns,
and she is a valued member of the Department. We are proud to recognize Mallory
as our 2021 Civilian of the Year.
OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Officer Jacob Wuerfele
Officer Wuerfele stays proactive during his shift and doesn't just respond to calls he is dispatched to. Officer Wuerfele is particularly aggressive about stopping impaired drivers and getting them off the street. Last year, Officer Wuerfele had 30 DWI stops alone, accounting for over a third of all DWI’s in 2021. One driver was 4 times the legal limit, two were driving the wrong way down the street, and two more had children in the car with them. He never complains about workload or needing to stay late. When training officers he goes out of his way to try to cover everything he can and teaches what to look out for to be more proactive. We appreciate his dedication and hard work, and for these reasons that we are proud to recognize Jacob as our 2021 Officer of the Year.
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| BY GREG WALTERS SPECIAL TO THE STAR MAY 5, 2022 Photos courtesy of Hudson Creek Farm, Monet, Missouri Nathan Bergen / Greg Walters TO VIEW THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM THE KANSAS CITY STAR USE THE FOLLOWING LINK KC STAR EDITORIAL |
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Their personalities are similar to that of a well trained dog. The Board of Aldermen should OK them for homeowners who have the space. |
Nathan and Rachel Bergen addressed the Raytown Board of Aldermen at the April 19 meeting during public comments. The couple wants to raise miniature goats on their property.
The Bergens moved to Raytown with their three children nearly two years ago. Nathan, acting as family spokes man, suggested the same laws the city has on the books for the stabling of horses should also apply to miniature goats. Current city ordinances do not allow the harboring of miniature goats in Raytown.
The Bergens relocated their family here because their house is located on nearly 2 acres of land. They wasted no time. They raised chickens, grew a large garden, planted fruit trees and now hope to raise Nigerian dwarf goats as pets and for the goats’ highly valued milk and cheese. Rachel has 15 years of experience as a licensed veterinarian tech, trained in the care and medical treatment of animals.
Their plan is a good one and should be approved by the Board of Aldermen.
One of the best kept secrets about Raytown is that many of the older homes in the city were built on large tracts of land — so large that city ordinances already allow for the stabling of horses, raising chickens and potbellied pigs.
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| MULES ENJOYING SOME APPLES |
The homes in our neighborhood were built on the remains of an apple orchard.
Because of this, all of our hoofed friends would hang out near our property because they knew if they were patient, they would end up enjoying some of the apples from our trees.
The miniature goats were not a problem. In fact, they were quite entertaining. They do have some peculiar habits. They can jump straight up to about 4 feet, so they must be fenced in well to keep them from wandering.
As with an domesticated animal, the city can set minimum land requirements for fencing by pet owners. City ordinances already limit the number of warm blooded animals allowed to be kept as pets in Raytown.
Miniature goats are extremely clean animals and thrive in our Midwestern climate. Their lifespan is 15 to 20 years. They have a temperament similar to a well trained dog’s.
That makes them friendly, easy to handle and social. They love to play. They can even be trained, just like any other pet. Moreover, they are excellent companions for kids and the elderly alike. Unlike dogs, they do not bark. They do not bite. They are inquisitive, loving creatures that seem to crave human companionship. They are good pets.
The raising of miniature goats is not an earth changing event. Fortunately, zoning permitted, you can keep goats almost anywhere you live.
Raytown wouldn’t be alone in the Kansas City metropolitan area to let homeowners raise these goats on sufficient amounts of property: Lee’s Summit, Independence, Belton, Olathe, Shawnee, Kansas City and Kansas City, Kansas, all allow it. Other major cities that permit urban goat-keeping include San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Charlottesville, Denver, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Berkeley, California.
Why not Raytown?
We are a small city of 10 square miles with some homes built on very large yards that make the raising of horses, potbellied pigs and chickens possible. Why not add miniature goats to the mix? If it works in neighboring communities, it will work here.
Greg Walters represents Ward 1 on the Raytown Board of Aldermen. The public is invited to contribute to the discussion during Public Comments on miniature goats at the board’s May 17 meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 10000 East 59th Street. Public Comments is one of the first items covered in the Board's meeting.
USE THIS LINK TO Comment OR VIEW COMMENT PAGE
24 comments:
I see the Mayor is busy posting about this weekend event at the green space.
My concern is it safe or do we need to worry about a mass shooting based on the attack and overall amount of gun fire heard Saturday night near or at the club access the street.
Only thing on news was 3 shoot, but was it a drive by or attending individuals getting into a fight.
Police have not said anything so was it a trigger happy officer.
The lack of transparency with Raytown officials and department heads is not only an insult to us taxpayers, but also a safety mater.
"..mass shooting based on the attack and overall amount of gun fire heard Saturday night near or at the club access the street."
Time to place a moratorium on the "clubs" and the "event spaces".
First the pool hall around the corner, now this. Enough is enough.
"Police have not said anything so was it a trigger happy officer." What?? Don't be ridiculous.
Do you think they are going to make their investigation report public before charges are filed?
"While enjoying this mother's day weekend with a few friends we got talking about the current condition of Raytown and the accomplishments of our Mayor."
We got it all backward in Raytown. A couple-few of the aldermen are standouts and would do a bang up job as Mayor. The Mayor may be more suitable in a minor support position in my opinion. And then there are a couple that have no business whatsoever in office. In other words, it's like politics as usual everywhere.
Other cities with a professional police department would have put out more information on the shooting downtown Raytown.
In Raytown everyone working for the city is so lazy and don't want to do the job they are paid to do.
With a former police officer as mayor we should expect better.
Doesn't say much for him or his time as an officer.
Just more of the police turning Raytown into a city of all rentals.
2022 HHW Participating Communities (HouseHold Waste)
Belton Kearney Platte City
Blue Springs Lake Lotawana Pleasant Valley
Cleveland Lake Tapawingo Raymore
Excelsior Springs Lake Waukomis Richmond
Garden City Lake Winnebago Riverside
Gladstone Lawson Smithville
Glenaire Lee's Summit Sugar Creek
Grain Valley Liberty Weatherby Lake
Greenwood Loch Lloyd Weston
Harrisonville Lone Jack Unincorporated Clay County*
Independence North Kansas City Unincorporated Jackson County*
Kansas City, Missouri Parkville Unincorporated Platte County*
I'm all in favor of the goat issue. I also think safe disposal of hazardous household wastes should get at least equal billing.
So, my question is Why Not Raytown?
Have a great week Raytowners,
RN
My suspicion is Raytown does not participate in the hazardous waste program because it costs money. Raytown needs it money for fancy signs no one reads.
RN
The above listed is from MARC participating communities.City Administrator Hodges has informed me that the annual cost to be in this program is $30k. This has not been a priority for the BOA to be added to the budget. I cannot confirm that it has ever been brought to the attention of the BOA.
It has taken two years of communication "harassment" to get an amount added to this years budget.
City Administrator Hodges was specifically asked about hazardous waste when the April Recycle Event was announced.
He said this event was still forth coming.
I encourage everyone to contact City Administrator Hodges about a hazard waste event. His contact information is 816-737-6065
damonh@raytown.mo.us
Stay Safe Raytown
".....And then there are a couple that have no business whatsoever in office....."
Yet they keep running and you keep electing them. Watch a few of the BOA meetings and sort out for yourselves who typically displays the most suppressive behavior, who babbles the most without adding anything whatsoever productive to the conversation, who is "green" but politely learning, those that have buckets of common sense, and of course those with decades of business and civic experience that soldier on, intent on making a positive difference in their community.
It's all right there. It's all recorded. You can watch it as many times as you wish.
RN,
You bring up a great subject.
However, our elected officials don't care about public safety.
Look at the facts: They gave the ambulance service to another government agency because the city ran it into the ground.
A few years ago the city tried to get out of the drug take back program, but the the DEA pushing the program Raytown backdoor a participated.
It is time we had a Mayor who would lead Raytown forward instead of leading his fellow officers to suck the city dry of tax dollars.
How are they sucking the city dry of tax dollars? You get what you pay for and they don’t have the manpower to do much of anything!
KS
Thank you for recognizing the Raytown Police Dept.
Unfortunately the police can't do much about bad parenting.
Teach your kids morals and that there are consequences for bad actions.
Perhaps parenting classes should be mandatory. Be parents FIRST and not friends with your kids. Teach them to respect you, their teachers, and the law.
It all begins at home.
To Anonymous responding to RN - Let's address this comment "A few years ago the city tried to get out of the drug take back program, but the the DEA pushing the program Raytown backdoor a participated." Your sentence makes no sense. The DEA sponsors 2 national prescription drug take back days annually. Police departments chose to participate in them as an optional service to the community and Raytown did participate in the one this spring. Currently there are many places that have medication drop off boxes etc so it's not like residents don't have options.
As far as Hazardous Household Waste (HHW) disposal, no Raytown isn't participating and possibly because there is a large cost related to that and the city maybe doesn't have funds. Raytown residents can go to Lee's Summit Resource Recovery Park and pay a couple dollars a pound to get rid of their HHW.
So if you think your HHW is a public safety risk do the work and pay the fee to get rid of it. If you think your extra medication is a public safety risk do the work and find a drop box to dispose of it, while it's great if a city has the funds and volunteers to provide these things for "free" to you there are things you can do on your own.
Today at Doughboys we had the honor to record a video of Nathan Bergen and his three precious little daughters. The sweet family who would Love to have little dwarf goats. We started a petition drive for them today with our Raytown friends who come in. They will be going before the Board of Alderman meeting Tuesday. I can honestly say over the last few weeks we have talked to and passed out a lot of copies of your story on this sweet family. Not one person we talked to have a problem with this family bringing these sweet little goats to Raytown. Today everyone signed the petition that lived in Raytown except for one man that said he just really didn't know anything about these goats. Here At Doughboys we sure hope this family will have the chance to teach their little ones how to get goat milk and make goat cheese. Raytown could sure benefit for having more loving families like this. Sincerely Elisa Breitenbach
Someone posted "My concern is it safe or do we need to worry about a mass shooting based on the attack and overall amount of gun fire heard Saturday night near or at the club access the street." As usual, it was Chicken Little shouting a bunch of nonsense. There were over 100 people there. We all enjoyed ourselves without any incidents. Maybe they were trying to discourage people from coming in order to claim it to be another city failure. Wrong again!
Dear Anon 8:25, Nice try by you. But here is the reality. Here is what the LSRS Park (Landfill) will and won't take: ACCEPTED/UNACCEPTED ITEMS Acceptable Items Treated Lumber Construction materials Household trash Furniture Tires Appliances Mattresses Electronics Brush Pallets Lawn Bags Concrete Unacceptable Items Hazardous materials Flammable materials Regulated Hazardous Waste Radioactive Materials Bulk Liquids PCB’s Regulated Infectious Waste Explosives Septic Tank Pumpings Highly Flammable/Volatile Substances Dirt Sorry your mis-information was published w/o a simple check. Raytown Newbie (RN)
to RN
Please look up https://www.lspda.com/hazardous-household-waste/ looks like they cover most average household stuff. You have to click on the hazardous household waste tab to see that, and not just the accepted/unaccepted tab. I can't help they don't have a more user friendly website.
Why is this press release note on the cities web site???
Dear 7:03... I appreciate your informative and civil reply. No, I did not notice the HHW tab. It does appear they will accept the materials I am wanting to be rid of. I have been wanting to legally dispose of some things for quite some time.
Thank you, RN
ann 703A
The FACT is another service not being offered to Raytown Citizens. But on the agenda TONIGHT is giving away 1.2 million of the cities recovery act money to city hall employees.
Information from the the $35,000 salary study (that was unique because it took into account "seniority and tenor" - two items not accounted for the the same regional salary study available via MARC for $6,000) has not been made available to the BOA according to my alderman last night.
FYI - no additional information on what the rest of the recovery funds are budgeted for has been shared. These funds DO NOT have to be used until the end of 2024.
Why do we continue to allow business as usually at city hall???????
Its time to speak up Raytown not only this August but in April 2023 We need a clean slate of INVOLVED citizens that will hold staff accountable for OUR GOALS. NOt the BS city staff continues to feed them. without any questions
Greg, where can i get a yard sign??? Are different versions available??
Currently considering yes on question 1 - if we ever see a map that shows it will be used for neighborhoods not just "snow routes" that provide the biggest "look what I did google image" on the city administrators resume.
No on 2. Show me something not just a number Raytown has spent millions on storm water we should be the best city in the metro. Where are the currently problems - future problems should be addressed with development (I know stop laughing)
HELL NO ON 3 - enough said
Thanks for the info.
Hey Greg, do you know if the bond issues for storm sewers were paid off from 2005 or 2006?
So let me see….my understanding is 40% of Raytown streets are in dire need of repair or replacement. Why are we not fixing this issue with a modest tax increase. And one tax increase isn’t even designated for what it will be used for. It just goes with the mind set in today’s administrations. Give us all the money you can….right now! We have voted yes on past tax increases to fix the storm system issue. Guess what…we have been waiting for that for over 30 years. Maybe that will change with this administration but I am not holding my breath on that. Bring forth a reasonable designated tax increase and you might get my vote. Otherwise no…not from this long time resident.
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