Winter is Coming!

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.”