The Boys of Summer are gone. But the geese of winter have returned this Fall to take their place at the Colman Park Softball Field. They can be seen on the ballfield most mornings.
Geese are migratory birds. Their movement from Canada to the United States, where many of them over-winter in the Midwest and the South, is a sure forecast shorter and colder days are can be counted on in the near future.
We think it is a Hawk. It stopped by to visit, as they frequently do, perched high above the bird feeders in our backyard.The picture was taken from one of our windows outside the back of our home.
Bothered by aggressive solicitors while driving through busy street intersections?
Do not hesitate. Call the Police at 911.
The law is on your side.*
*A CALL TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT
REQUIRE A SIGNATURE OR A FORMAL COMPLAINT. THE POLICE WILL EVALUATE IF THE CITY
ORDINANCE IS BEING VIOLATED AND ACT ACCORDINGLY.
 |
| BY GREG WALTERS |
Soliciting on public
streets has increased
in Raytown
WHAT
YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.
The practice of soliciting or
peddling in the right-of-way places pedestrians
in the lanes of traffic and presents unique dangers to
solicitors, peddlers and the traveling public.
In the interest of public safety, the following
additional provisions shall apply to soliciting or peddling
in the right-of-way. The following information is copied from the Raytown City Code of Ordinances.
Sec. 10-504
Additional provisions regarding soliciting in the right-of-way.
The most pertinent
sections are highlighted in red.
It shall be unlawful for any solicitor
to solicit in the right-of-way except from dawn to
dusk.
It shall be unlawful for
any solicitor to solicit in the right-of-way except at
an intersection that are signalized or intersections where vehicles in all
directions must come to a complete stop.
It shall be unlawful for any solicitor
to solicit at an intersection with Missouri 350 Highway.
It shall be unlawful for any solicitor
to solicit the occupant of a vehicle, unless the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
It shall be unlawful for any solicitor
to stand in the traveled portion of the right-of-way while traffic is moving.
It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 13 years to solicit in the right-of-way.
It shall be unlawful for any person age 13 to 17 years to solicit in the right-of-way unless accompanied by at least two persons over the age of 18 years.
It shall be unlawful for
any solicitor to solicit at the same public right of way in any more than 72
hours in any one consecutive 60 day period.
This provision shall be construed
to include solicitation at the same public right-of-way intersection
by employees, agents, or other persons soliciting on behalf of the same person during the aforesaid period.
It shall be unlawful for more than ten
persons to solicit at one intersection at one time.
It shall be unlawful for
any solicitor to solicit in the right-of-way unless wearing a bright orange safety vest and unless displaying an approved
identification card in a manner so as to be clearly visible to a reasonable
person.
My friend and I met later
that night at the monthly meeting of the Raytown Democrat Association. We had a
healthy discussion with those present about the reason(s) for this important
ordinance.
It all comes down to
safety.
The Fire District
representative later told me that in an emergency situation those intersections
must be kept clear of pedestrians. Or as he put it, “. . . the streets are made for motor vehicles, not people wandering around
asking for spare change.”
He added, “When Raytown Fire District is responding
to a call, be it a fire truck or and ambulance, they often must move at high
rates of speed because response time is paramount in saving lives. The
distraction caused by individuals accosting drivers in the public right of way
is illegal – and can be dangerous.”
He continued, “That is why it is important for the public
to call the Raytown Police Department and report individuals wandering in and
out of traffic on public streets. The correct solution is to call 911 and
let the Police Department determine if city ordinances are being violated.”
15 comments:
"Bothered by aggressive solicitors while driving through busy street intersections?"
We've been concerned about these solicitors for quite some time. Can we detect their movements from all areas of our trucks? No. If they were to misstep and fall into or in front of one of our vehicles, who pays? Of course WE would. Without exception.
Ever priced commercial insurance? (You don't want to know.)
And how can we determine that they're a legitimate charity? When they're on foot and coming at you in traffic, there's no quick way to verify.
GREAT information! Thank you!
so let me get this straight. You want the police to stop chasing murderers, rapist, and car thieves to run off a panhandler? Thinking like that is why crime is so high here.
Last week I was driving down Blue Ridge Cutoff coming up to the intersection at 63rd Street. There were two men standing in the real slim island between the north and south bound lanes. While waiting for the traffic light to change from red to green, one of those fine young men came and knocked on my window. He asked if I had any spare change.
I drove away thankful he did not pull a gun on me and demand my car!
Do I want the police to enforce our laws in Raytown. You bet I do.
Whoever wrote that idiotic post about chasing murderers, rapists and car thieves should really think about what he is going to say before he runs his mouth. All of us are responsible to make Raytown a safer place to live in. By calling the police we help them find where to go to stop such criminal activity.
My guess is whoever wrote that stupid post really lives in Lee's Summit.
According to a previous post, I say if they find it so scary in Raytown, maybe they should consider moving to another town such as Grandview, Independence or maybe even Lees Summit. I am sure they will feel much safer there. I do feel that people should not be standing on the medians. Someone may get hurt and the City would be held liable for not enforcing the law. Panhandling outside a store should not be allowed either but that is up to the store to handle that.
I am sure we would allow panhandling if a young Alderman was able to push though taxing or charging fees to the panhandle.
Speaking of that young man who likes taxes and fees like a little kids loves ice cream and candy. I know that he was so proud of passing those fees and inspections on rental properties. However, he still doesn't know if the program is successful.
What do we expect he won't answer questions and wants them in writing should he decide to respond. Is this because he is unable to respond form a lack of knowledge or because he lacks the inability to understand things himself.
The person who wrote about 63rd Street has it right. How many times on the news is there a story about someone being car jacked? Why not remove the potential opportunity for this crime by bringing in the professionals to handle the situation at the same time?
It is difficult to be certain of a potential robbery, rape, car-jacking, etc.
Recognizing the potential for a crime to take place is important. Calling the police is just as important.
The problem in America anymore is people don't want to actually earn the pay check for the work they agreed to do.
We have become a Nation of excuses and participation awards which has created a Nation of entitlement by far too many.
If a person is put in fear because of the action of another then it is important they call the Police. In turn the Police should respond to the call for help.
Make no mistake about it, as stranger tapping on your car window in the middle of a public street is frightening.
It also creates an image of Raytown that is not a pretty one. Helping the police recognize when this illegal activity is taking place is a good thing.
It all comes down to this. What image do we want for Raytown? One where you feel safe driving a car? One where you not only “hope” the police will show up, one where you KNOW they will show up.
A healthy community is where the people work with the police to be the eyes and ears of the community. Calling the police when you see laws being broken is a good thing.
The police responding in timely (immediate) fashion is a solution.
Ignore the nay-sayers who only want to rip and tear at their perceived enemies. They have lost sight of the ability to recognize a problem and to try to reach a solution with the help others.
It is best those types be ignored because they have nothing to add. All they care about is their personal vendettas.
Is that young alderman who likes to raise tax named Ryan?
A friend invited me to have a fee drinks with them at Crane Brewing recently.
It was a great visit and experience, but what is that dump to the South of Crane.
I understand it is some construction business. I fear what they are constructing if they don't take care of the roof on their building.
I thought the city had codes against allowing properties to fall into that condition.
If we are to promote small businesses in Raytown, but allow others to maintain property like a third world nation how can we expect people to have a positive image of our city.
I am sure nothing will be done as clearly this property didn't get in this condition over night.
I just wanted to make sure others know about this issue and our city not doing anything.
What rhymes with Ryan yes that would be lying and we all know have felt the li've and I'm delivered promises of this individual.
Raytown is a great place to raise a family however in the last 10 years we have not have the highest class of elected officials and it has led to a decline in city services.
It is time to end the broken promises it is time that the taxpayers receive the services that they expect and overly pay for.
How many homeless camps do we have in Raytown and what is the city doing to address the problem.
I know a few years ago there was someone living on the city property next to Aldi's.
Lately I have notice shopping carts left around the city that slowly are starting to multiple.
Other places I have notice areas boxed up and tarps dropped making a quick make shifted home.
We have so much city and school district property that there should be a solution and what about all of the churches.
I want to thank whoever spoke up about the unacceptable condition of the property next to the Brewing company.
After doing my own research, I found this is a true problem. It should be mentioned that business in question has their office around 63rd and Elm. I am sure those neighbors are happy the owners take better care of it.
I was able to find a government website with aerial photos going back to 2010. The photos show the progressive decline with the buildings on the property.
A problem that has gone on like this for so many years only brings about more questions. Questions that our elected officials should be asking at budget time and when contract employees contracts are about to expire.
How did this go without city staff addressing?
Do this indicate we have the wrong individuals in the code enforcement department?
What do the code enforcement officers actually do?
Is the code enforcement department over paid and over staffed?
Where is the oversight from the two city administrators?
Does the city do business with the business?
If the city is doing business with them what message is this sending others?
What type of bid and vetting process does the city administrators use for companies they recommend the city does business with?
Is this what we should expect when we support local?
Shouldn't we all get this same treatment withe code violations?
Who else has heard the Mayor say the back in parking space on 63rd Street are safer than the backout options.
Is this just an opportunity to justify the signage for backing in or is there an truth to it.
One simple sign of truth would be our police department issued tickets to those vehicles not backed in.
I am sure the Mayor's Choir would quickly sing the hymns taught to them about shortage of police officers. However, police blotter don't support the claims of that hymn. It also doesn't explain why the command staff cannot spot check the small stretch of 63 a couple of times a day.
One has to ask if the lack of the small things like this and random speed stops is why the criminal element feels so comfortable in or community.
Time to stop the excuses and justify all the command staff or time to find new administration to do right by the citizens and business owners.
I recall once upon a time about dogs being taken into the Raytown high schools to search for drugs, but have not heard anything in more recent years.
Is this because the school board knows there is a problem and don't want the public to see how big the problem really is or do they not care about the safety of the students and the dangers of drugs?
"A problem that has gone on like this for so many years only brings about more questions."
Does anyone know what's going on with that empty rusted out blue building on 350 Highway, north side, across from Freddy's Hamburgers?
Even an empty, clean lot would look so much better. It's a nice lot. The current structure is an eyesore. Seems like it would be a great location for a new business.
We checked with Greg on this one . . . He told us the property has been purchased by a business owner who intends to remove the building and open a new business at the location. A timeline as to when all of this will happen was not provided. But the Board of Aldermen did vote unanimously to approve the deal to move forward.
Greg also told us that commercial property in Raytown has been selling at a pretty competitive price compared to other areas in the metropolitan area.
He said, "I am sure some will try to take credit for bringing a new business to Raytown. But the real impetus for the investment (by small business owners) is in the taking advantage of a depressed commercial real estate market in Raytown."
"All in all, it is a step in the right direction for Raytown."
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