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THE PAUL LIVIUS REPORT BY PAUL LIVIUS |
Missouri State Legislator Jerome Barnes and Raytown Alderman Greg Walters have teamed up in an effort to bring more tax dollars to Raytown to fund “traffic calming” devices for Raytown streets.
In the summer of 2023 Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters and State Representative Barnes met following a meeting of the Raytown Democrat Association. What started as a one hour conversation in a parking lot next to Raytown Fire Station Number One is showing signs of bringing some state funding to help improve traffic enforcement in Raytown.
Barnes asked Walters what was high on Raytowner's “want” list. Walters, who had recently been re-elected to his seat in Ward 1 told Barnes the one common theme he heard was the need for the city to crack down on speeders on Raytown streets.
Walters had been looking into the use of “traffic calming technology to slow down speeders in residential areas. The City had recently installed a number of these signs. Two of them ended up on Hunter Street between 59th Street and 63rd Street.
The signs were a huge success. Motorists were frequently seen slowing down when the light illuminated their speeding vehicles on Hunter Street. Residential homeowners made a point of letting Walters know the city needed more of the same.
The Ward 1 Alderman continued, “Judging from the feedback I received from homeowners on Hunter Street the signs were working. They were definitely an effective traffic calming tool.”
Barnes told Walters he believed there may be a path to gain State funding for more of the speed/radar signs in Raytown.
Together, they worked out a plan to approach the State of Missouri for a grant to pay for more of the signs.
Greg took on the task of crafting the grant request. Jerome went work on selling the idea to the State of Missouri through the Department of Public Safety.
This past week, Barnes reported their joint proposal was on its way. Jerome sent a copy of the House Budget Chairman’s Substitute Changes to the Governor’s Budget.
The next step was for the request to go before the Missouri House for approval.
Barnes said, “We are off to a good start. Speed trap money is in the budget . . . which was followed in two weeks by another report in which he said the Missouri House of Representatives have approved the budgeted amount of $50,000 for “Raytown Speed Control Device”.
“This leaves two hurdles for final approval. It is scheduled to go before the Missouri Senate later this month. If approved by the Senate – it will move forward to the Governor’s Office for final approval.”
“So, keep your fingers crossed!"
Barnes told the Raytown Report he considers his and Greg’s effort as a “thank you” to the public for allowing him to represent them in Jefferson City these last 8 years.
Jerome is currently serving his final term on the State Legislature. His wife, Donna Barnes, has filed for his open seat to represent the Raytown area in Jefferson City.
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8 comments:
"And they will be laughed at just like the one that is set up at about 82nd St and Raytown Rd."
There's a positive aspect to those electronic babysitters, however. It's a great spedo calibrator. Primo accuracy. We've run our commercial and personal vehicles past it several dozen times. Our gauges are apparently right on the money, which is encouraging.
Yes, we also would like to see some additional effort applied to traffic enforcement in Raytown. Hopefully, that's on the way.
We do suggest that Department dedicate a couple-few of their newer officers to traffic enforcement, versus the older, far less personable individual.
We've been extremely heartened of late by these young officer's enthusiasm, knowledge and courtesy. Impressive, career path individuals where we need to do everything that we can to support and retain. They're already excellent ambassadors for this City, and would be the best choices for traffic enforcement.
These speed signs are a joke. Speeders already know the speed limit and don't care. This is another feel good move that has no real benefit. More tax money wasted.
Start handing out tickets and the word will get out
After looking at how the "yes" vote ran their campaign, I was wondering if our young Alderman was running the campaign.
Nothing was finalized before going to the voters.
No one wanted to answer questions and often got mad because questions were being asked.
Voters were treated bad things will happen to the community if the vote fails.
Yes, I see many similarly behaviors and actions; both of which voters are tired of.
"We do suggest that Department dedicate a couple-few of their newer officers to traffic enforcement, versus the older, far less personable individual."
Although I wouldn't paint with such a wide brush by mentioning the "older" less personable officer (wow), I definitely get your drift. Interpersonal skills aren't optional. And yes, the younger officers that we've interacted with are top notch in that area.
It's a different time than it was when we were growing up in Raytown in the 70's and 80's. Raytown was a "bedroom community". Although the police officers in Raytown back in those days encountered dangerous situations and we thank them for their service, some of of those officers wouldn't have even remotely made the cut to begin with nowadays. (Yes, harsh.) They "embedded". And they stayed and stayed. It was comfortable, with not much going on around here.
Remember when the police radio (back when you could listen to it all) was silent for 10, 15 minutes or more at a time? That probably never happens nowadays. The risk that these officers encounter each day has increased exponentially.
Most of those "bedroom community" officers have moved on or retired, which in many (not all) cases has definitely been one gigantic step forward for the PD.
These new men and women appear to have been trained to a much higher standard.
It needs to be said. Whatever process of refinement (obvious) that this PD has been engaging in with their new hires is really paying off.
They haven’t done any enforcement since late 2017, so that’s not going to happen and you can’t issue tickets from a speed trailer. And there aren’t any officers certified to run radar.
"And there aren’t any officers certified to run radar."
Requirements/cost definitely don't appear to be insurmountable if this coursework is the only initial requirement:
Missouri Highway Patrol:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/TND/2020RadarLaserInstructor.html
I understand there is a mass exiting of teachers in the Raytown School District.
I think we all need to ask why.
While on the subject of WHY are our tax dollars so HIGH and test scores so LOW.
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