By LESLIE COLLINS
Northeast News
October 17, 2012 

eton Heights doesn’t like ho-hum, forgettable fundraisers.

They want to see you whip out your best costume for their Oct. 20 Pendleton Heights Costume Party at AJ’s Bar, 2618 Independence Ave.

Activities will include an “Eerily Silent Auction,” a bake sale with “spooktacular” treats, a costume contest, music and more.

The Oct. 20 fundraiser will go toward continuing to fund off-duty Kansas City police officers to patrol the neighborhood.

Since the end of June, off-duty KCPD officers have been patrolling two to four times each week. Current funding will last the neighborhood through the end of November.

“I feel like it’s definitely been good building relationships with the officers. They know our neighborhood more closely and about the specific types of problems,” said Pendleton Heights Neighborhood Association Vice President Christy Maddux. “When the officers are there, it’s very quiet, so they definitely make a difference when they’re on duty.”

During one of the off-duty patrols, officers noticed an individual driving a stolen vehicle through the neighborhood and made an arrest, Maddux said.

The Costume Party fundraiser will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and will end when AJ’s closes. Cost is $10 at the door.

The costume contest will include two categories: Best Costume and Funniest Costume.

Maddux said all are invited to attend and stressed what can happen when a neighborhood works together.

“The thing I’m most proud of is the fact that Pendleton Heights has made our off-duty security a reality,” Maddux said. “It shows what can be accomplished when a neighborhood works together for a common goal and how empowered any neighborhood can be when the residents work together.”