KCPD aim to keep people safe during summer by issuing their Entertainment District Plan

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – KCPD’s Entertainment District Plan is in full swing.

This means every weekend during summer, more than a dozen patrol units will be out in the entertainment districts like Westport, the Plaza, and 18th & Vine.

Officer Alayna Gonzalez said this is to enhance overall safety while more people spend time outside.

“When people start to go out, have more fun, enjoy the weather, spend time together, the party animals come out,” Gonzalez said. “So, we bring more officers in focused areas. Their purpose is to be proactive in policing, if you see something, we are going to handle it before the problem escalates.”

Gonzalez said this will also help prevent street racing, donuts, and illegal vehicles on the road.

“It’s summertime; we’re supposed to be outside, we’re supposed to be having fun, we’re supposed to be spending time with our friends and family,” Gonzalez said. “We want to interact with one another, but we want to do that in a safe way. We are doing what we can as a police department to harbor a safe environment for people to be able to do that, but we need the community to assist us. We need them to understand that if you get into an argument, it’s ok to walk away. You don’t have to run and go pick up a firearm. You don’t need to do skirt off in your sports car.”

For the last five years, Brett Norton has worked as a security guard at Tin Roof and said having increased police presence makes a huge difference, especially in the summer months.

“I do believe it cuts down a lot of issues from even cropping up in the first place,” Norton said.

Norton said it can get a bit crazy in the summer.

“I hear a decent number of shots pop off and sideshows in the intersections,” Norton said. “But I don’t see as many when the cursors are sitting over there. Their presence also helps prevent people from bringing weapons into the district.”

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.