LTE: Chief Rick Smith was great

I want to commend Michael Bushnell for his recent article taking a stance on behalf of former Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith. Chief Smith is one of the good guys and he’s been a very effective leader who has done an extraordinary job in arguably the most challenging time in law enforcement in decades.

Losing a leader of his caliber only exacerbates the leadership vacuum sucking the life out of this city, and it goes well beyond the police department.

As readers and even regional journalists, perhaps we give too much attention discussing The Kansas City Star and the “woke” editorial judgments that have contributed to the cratering of its readership. It’s well on its way to irrelevancy as a news medium in this region. Perhaps a buyer could step in to salvage things, but it would have to be a local source. If a large, distant newspaper chain were to step up and buy it, expect the same pathetic performance. As I told the current owner and operator, this city deserves a much better newspaper.

Just as dispiriting as the loss of a once-proud source of news has been, Kansas City suffers from a dysfunctional City Council and municipal government. I’m not sure what they think the KCPD will look like in the future, but this year alone, retirements on the force are close to four dozen, far outpacing the norm. This, I believe, has to do with loyal team members leaving concurrently with Chief Smith’s retirement, and the administration’s failure to support the KCPD.

If we thought we had issues during the civil unrest of 2020 and that first year of the pandemic, wait and see the erosion of staff, morale and effective policing if we can’t find a successor who can match Rick Smith’s commitment.

Here’s an example of life as it exists in Kansas City right now, and a measure of what Chief Smith, the KCPD, and law-abiding residents have been up against. On Sunday night, while working at our Freighthouse District office, the window of my truck was smashed. My wallet, tools and more was stolen. We quickly and thoroughly networked to locate where my credit cards were being used, and have obtained the cooperation of several retailers to share their high-definition videos.

I believe we have the evidence needed to apprehend and convict these pests. We intend to catch the bad guys and to prosecute. We’ve been victimized before, including the thefts of four—four!—Ford Super Duty trucks over the past seven years. Before Smith became chief, the response from the police to other incidents could best be described as indifference. Big change on his watch. I pray to God that we’ll not see a return to complacency within the department.

This city deserves a great newspaper. It also deserves a great police chief, and a responsible and trustworthy mayor and members of the City Council. I’m genuinely worried about what Kansas City looks like in the future, under the irresponsible control of those who think social justice can’t be achieved without tearing down our societal pillars.

Respectfully,
Joe Sweeney
Editor-in-Chief & Publisher
Ingram’s Magazine
JSweeney@Ingrams.com

Want Northeast News articles sent straight to your inbox each week? Subscribe below!
Enter your email address and click on the Get Instant Access button.
We respect your privacy

Comments are closed.

  • Annnnnnd They’re Off!

    March 24th, 2023
    by

    Eight students from Alta Vista High School loaded up this morning for the Spring Break Youth Experience weekend in Chicago. […]


    The Northeast News is seeking qualified summer interns

    March 24th, 2023
    by

    Qualifications The candidate should have at least two years of university-level news reporting experience on a variety of platforms including […]


    Murder charges filed in Elizabeth Stivers homicide case

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    Charges have been filed against Elizabeth Stivers’ neighbor, 24-year-old Darion Hall, for her murder last week. On Wednesday, the Jackson […]


    Let there be STEM!

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    Over 300 students, ranging from kindergarteners to seniors in high school, packed into Union Station’s north waiting room on a […]


    ¡Que haya STEM!

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    Más de trescientos estudiantes, desde niños de preescolar hasta estudiantes de último año de secundaria, abarrotaron la sala de espera […]


    Loved ones gather to mourn homicide victim Elizabeth Stivers

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    Family and friends of Elizabeth Stivers gathered in front of her home on 7th Street Sunday evening to mourn, lighting […]


    Jazz Draft takes over 18th and Vine!

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    UNESCO Creative City of Music – USA, in collaboration with the American Jazz Museum, will present a 12-hour jam session […]


    Childcare owner marks 43 years of caring

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    The classroom is dark, and toddlers are stretched out on small cots for their afternoon nap. But Vonnie Occhipinto’s phone […]


    Pearl’s Beauty Salon closes as longtime owner retires

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    With nimble fingers, Pearl Battaglia wraps short, silver hair around perm rods for one of her regular customers at Pearl’s […]


  • Kansas City Museum’s Derby Party fundraiser celebrates Worlds of Fun 

    March 22nd, 2023
    by

    Tickets are on sale now for the 8th Annual Derby Party. The Kansas City Museum’s annual fundraiser is back on […]


    Suspect cites voodoo for Independence and Olive Homicide

    March 17th, 2023
    by

    Ibrahim A. Sharif Ahmed, 38 of Kansas City North cited voodoo as the partial cause for the killing of Abdullahi […]


    Family mourns homicide victim, plans vigil

    March 17th, 2023
    by

    The family of Elizabeth Stivers is mourning after she was killed Tuesday evening in Lykins. They plan to hold a […]


    One dead in Independence and Olive homicide

    March 16th, 2023
    by

    Wednesday evening just before 9 p.m., Kansas City, MO Police officers (KCPD) were called to the area of Independence Boulevard […]


    Disturbance ends in homicide near 7th and Spruce

    March 15th, 2023
    by

    One woman is dead following a disturbance in Lykins. Tuesday evening just after 9:15 PM, Kansas City, MO Police officers […]


    Lead To Read increases literacy rates in Northeast elementary schools

    March 15th, 2023
    by

    Abby HooverManaging Editor In a James Elementary first grade classroom, students are paired off with adults, quietly reading or working […]


    Community outreach programs brought to you by Jerusalem Farm

    March 15th, 2023
    by

    “WHAT CAN WE DO TODAY, SO THAT TOMORROW WE CAN DO WHAT WE CANNOT DO TODAY?” KC Tenants is organizing […]


    RevEd Hosts Parent Power, an Event Celebrating the Power of Northeast Families

    March 15th, 2023
    by

    Daisy Garcia-MontoyaEducation Reporter Community members filled the RevEd space last Wednesday to celebrate parents who played an important role in […]


    North Lawn tenants demand safe, affordable housing

    March 10th, 2023
    by

    Tenants of the Gladstone Court Apartments are making demands for safe, affordable housing of the building’s new owner after the […]


  • Want articles sent directly to your inbox each week? Subscribe below!
    We respect your privacy and will not distribute your information.