Jan. 19, 2011

East Zone officer complaints are down by roughly 35 percent, according to Chief Jim Corwin.

While that’s all well and good, maybe a better idea might be to survey crime victims.

Ask them how satisfied they are with a prosecutorial paradigm in Jackson County that allows criminals to roam the streets, continuing to prey on law-abiding citizens.

Those criminals negatively affect the quality of life for everyone in the community.

Ask any law enforcement officer you know (off the record) and they’ll tell you – criminals, as a rule, don’t commit crimes in Clay, Platte or Cass counties because prosecutors there prosecute instead of arranging plea bargain after plea bargain for chronic offenders.

Such plea bargains are probably the reason that those like Clayton Dunlap are allowed to operate a motor vehicle, despite some 33 prior traffic violations.

Dunlap was sentenced last Friday to 34 years in prison for the March killing of 12-year-old Damian Slayton.

This ‘lil pooch is relatively certain that had Dunlap been prosecuted and properly locked away for his previous crimes, a 12-year-old boy would be alive today.

There’s a reason criminals stay in Jackson County, and it ain’t the weather is it, Mr. Kanatzer?

• • • •

Kudos to the city’s parks and recreation department for taking the time and effort to clear Cliff Drive of snow following last week’s storm.

Historic Northeast is home to the state’s only urban scenic byway that is used by hundreds of pedestrians every weekend, including this ‘lil pooch who enjoyed a lovely three-mile run through the urban forest of Kessler Park.

The workin’ stiffs in the big green trucks don’t get the credit they deserve for making our parks and boulevards clean, safe and passable.

Please note that this aerobic ‘lil canine sends her thanks to all o’ ye for your effort.

• • • •

Holiday trash delays

Just a reminder that this week’s trash and curbside recycling services are delayed one day due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.