Northeast News

May 31, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – If you smelled smoke between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. last Saturday morning near Budd Park, you weren’t alone. Vandals torched the shelter structure in the front part of the park just off St. John and Hardesty. Terry Rynard of the city’s Parks Department indicated that a police report has been filed and video surveillance footage is being reviewed to see if anything was captured that could lead to a possible suspect in the intentionally-set blaze.

“If we can identify the individuals responsible, we’ll most definitely be prosecuting,” Rynard said on Tuesday morning.

Damage is estimated to be over $65,000. Parks crews were busy clearing mud and debris from the Riverfront Park boat ramp on Tuesday, but should be able to demolish what’s left of the structure by the end of the week, weather permitting. Rynard indicated that there is no suspect information at this time.