By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
April 13, 2011

To reduce crime in Northeast, it requires more than police officers. It requires community cooperation.

That message was stressed several times during the Safe Schools Program Community Forum at James Elementary April 7.

Last month, more than 40 area residents attended the first meeting to share their community concerns.

During the April 7 meeting, those concerns were addressed.

Safe Schools representatives tallied the results and the top concern was drug houses. Next in line were graffiti, sexual predators, abandoned houses, loose dogs, trash, no safe haven, lack of crosswalks, bullying and burned out street lights.

“Some of the instances brought to our attention (during the first meeting) were not reported officially,” said Officer Jason Cooley of Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department’s East Patrol. “Without an official report, there will never be any consequences for the individuals committing these acts.”

One unreported incident involved an alleged sexual predator, who tried to grab children and pull them into his truck. That person is not a registered sex offender, Cooley said.

“We know who this person is,” Cooley said. “He had a bit of an accident at his home a few days ago and broke his pelvis.”

When officers talked to his daughter, she said she planned to place him in a rest home.

“This takes him out of your neighborhood, which is a good thing,” Cooley said.

Several sex offenders, however, are living near the school, possibly too close, he said.

All sector sergeants in the area have been notified, in addition to the TOPs squad, Crimes Against Children, traffic unit and parking control, mounted patrol, gang unit and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

To alleviate the fear and misconceptions of reporting incidents, Cooley said officers don’t investigate the background or legal status of the person or persons reporting the crime.

“If you’re the victim, we’re here to help you out,” he said.

Northeast resident Bettie Jeffrey encouraged attendees at her table to report drug activity.

“If you see a drug house and you know it’s a drug house, you shouldn’t hesitate to report it,” she said. “You just cannot look away from it because that means they’re taking over the neighborhood and we don’t want that. You have to step up no matter what.”

Another Northeast resident asked what to do if he suspected drug activity at a house.

Cooley said to call East Patrol, (816) 234-5530, or the tips hotline, 474-DRUGS.

You don’t have to be 100 percent certain, Cooley said. Police will investigate the issue further.

To further help police crack down on drug houses, Cooley asked residents to write down vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers of those frequenting the suspected drug house. Include dates and times when traffic is heaviest.

“That type of information is helpful to our investigators,” he said.

Cooley also encouraged Northeast residents to be active in the community.

“Being active in the community and being visible in the community lets these people know they’re being seen,” he said. “If everybody’s hiding in their houses and being fearful, that’s only going to embolden the suspects. So, go outside with the kids, do some gardening, have a block party. Get to know your neighbors better.”

When an attendee asked what to do if he sees someone spray painting graffiti, Cooley said to call the police and let officers handle the situation.

He then quoted a Federal Bureau of Investigation study regarding graffiti and said, “They found if you paint over graffiti within 24 hours, they’re less likely to come back and retag it. Remove it as soon as possible.”

Sometimes, it is a battle of wills, he said.

Other ways to stave off graffiti include painting a mural on the building or planting a climbing vine.

Cooley encouraged residents to call him with questions or concerns at (816) 234-5530 and summed up the meeting by saying,”We care about the people who care about their communities.

“So, if a community comes together like this and they want to make a difference in their community, we want to respond to that.”