KCRag Forum

DMNBT_RCJH wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 8:26 pm

DColeKC wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 8:15 pm

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 6:55 pm

They have enough budget. Don't try and make this political, they don't have anybody who cares overseeing them.

Go compare their budget to any other city, it's not money problem.

I'm not aiming to make this a political statement, but that's precisely my main point. People are often hesitant to address the truth, leading us to point fingers at factors that aren't the root cause, such as state control of the police department, all in an attempt to avoid discussing the significant, albeit uncomfortable, issues.

While they do possess the budget and are making extensive efforts to recruit, the shortage of willing candidates remains a critical challenge. Shifting control to the local level may not necessarily resolve this issue. Our recent treatment of the profession, particularly over the last four years, has undeniably played a role in exacerbating this problem. So, if this is deemed a political statement, then so be it. It might also be political to acknowledge that certain actions by the police in specific situations have contributed to the current perception of the profession.

It's simply astonishing to consider that state control is the primary, factor behind the staffing shortage.

Even if they were adequately staffed, there is significant reluctance to interact with specific communities in certain circumstances due to fear. A simple mistake, even if unintentional, can lead to civilian unrest and have life-altering consequences for the officers involved.

Lastly, addressing the street racing issue is a formidable challenge due to the substantial risk it poses, not only to law enforcement but also to bystanders who gather to watch. There’s the constant danger of vehicles speeding away at dangerously high rates.

Yea start the salary at an actual "livable" wage like 65k-75k, not 38k.

I'd pay an extra 1% for that. We pay our public employees like shit in this country, and wonder why we generally get poor results.

DColeKC wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 8:15 pm
Even if they were adequately staffed, there is significant reluctance to interact with specific communities in certain circumstances due to fear. A simple mistake, even if unintentional, can lead to civilian unrest and have life-altering consequences for the officers involved.

WoodDraw wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 8:28 pm

DMNBT_RCJH wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 8:26 pm

DColeKC wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 8:15 pm

I'm not aiming to make this a political statement, but that's precisely my main point. People are often hesitant to address the truth, leading us to point fingers at factors that aren't the root cause, such as state control of the police department, all in an attempt to avoid discussing the significant, albeit uncomfortable, issues.

While they do possess the budget and are making extensive efforts to recruit, the shortage of willing candidates remains a critical challenge. Shifting control to the local level may not necessarily resolve this issue. Our recent treatment of the profession, particularly over the last four years, has undeniably played a role in exacerbating this problem. So, if this is deemed a political statement, then so be it. It might also be political to acknowledge that certain actions by the police in specific situations have contributed to the current perception of the profession.

It's simply astonishing to consider that state control is the primary, factor behind the staffing shortage.

Even if they were adequately staffed, there is significant reluctance to interact with specific communities in certain circumstances due to fear. A simple mistake, even if unintentional, can lead to civilian unrest and have life-altering consequences for the officers involved.

Lastly, addressing the street racing issue is a formidable challenge due to the substantial risk it poses, not only to law enforcement but also to bystanders who gather to watch. There’s the constant danger of vehicles speeding away at dangerously high rates.

Yea start the salary at an actual "livable" wage like 65k-75k, not 38k.

I'd pay an extra 1% for that. We pay our public employees like shit in this country, and wonder why we generally get poor results.

I heard what some people at the jails make and no wonder they smuggle drugs in

WoodDraw wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 8:28 pm Anytime someone says "hesitant to address the truth" it's better to ignore them.

Even assuming it's true that they have recruiting challenges, there's no evidence that says what direction the cultural problems go.

What type of people are you trying to recruit and where are you recruiting from?

A police force doesn't need to be a military force nor does it need to be singular in it's focus. In this respect, they just need to look at video footage and take the cars.

DMNBT_RCJH wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 8:41 pm

DColeKC wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 8:15 pm
Even if they were adequately staffed, there is significant reluctance to interact with specific communities in certain circumstances due to fear. A simple mistake, even if unintentional, can lead to civilian unrest and have life-altering consequences for the officers involved.

The causes of the major episodes of civil unrest the past few years have not been for "simple mistakes."

By and large, I think the broader public (excluding the perma-protestors who make outrage their currency) has been relatively discerning.

DMNBT_RCJH wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 8:26 pm The reality is the ~~38k starting salary is just pitifully low. You could make more stacking two entry level retail jobs.

Yes, its the reputation about being a police officer, but its also the fact that the private sector pays so much better. Who would sign up for that? It's just not competitive.

We've got to get serious in this country about taxes, many of which will need to go higher, or at the very least reallocated, to provide the services people expect.

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 8:55 am I in no way think local control fixes everything but it is a barrier that can be removed and provide more local accountability for our police department. Like how they spend their budget. It's not working now, why are some so reluctant to get behind that change? Mayor, etc. think it matters and if they are using it as a crutch then let's remove that option and able to hold our local officials also more accountable.

Not having done many comps to other PDs but KCPD seems top heavy. (page 38)
https://www.kcpd.org/media/4783/2022-annual-report.pdf

DColeKC wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 6:28 pm How would local control help get more officers hired? Our problem isn’t who controls the PD. It’s the lack of officers and the overall treatment of the police over the last few years has strongly contributed to no one wanting to be a cop.

Why we dance around this reality is beyond me.

Metro wrote: ↑Sat Oct 28, 2023 4:45 pm The new groves make the street look unfinished and embarrassing. It's amazing how cops can't just arrest and impound vehicles from people doing sideshows. KC is incapable of solving anything

TheLastGentleman wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 12:39 pm Or just BUILD A MEDIAN

Cratedigger wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 12:16 pm

Metro wrote: ↑Sat Oct 28, 2023 4:45 pm The new groves make the street look unfinished and embarrassing. It's amazing how cops can't just arrest and impound vehicles from people doing sideshows. KC is incapable of solving anything

I drove by this finally yesterday and I don't think it's that bad.

That said, if we're going to carve up the street anyway would it be possible to color them in some way or have some design when viewed from above?

Cratedigger wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 12:16 pm

Metro wrote: ↑Sat Oct 28, 2023 4:45 pm The new groves make the street look unfinished and embarrassing. It's amazing how cops can't just arrest and impound vehicles from people doing sideshows. KC is incapable of solving anything

I drove by this finally yesterday and I don't think it's that bad.

That said, if we're going to carve up the street anyway would it be possible to color them in some way or have some design when viewed from above?

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 4:09 pm Nobody cares how st Louis is doing anything. It's a dying rustbelt. Give KC local control then we can at least have local accountability

DColeKC wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2023 2:46 pm
You clearly haven't been on that street after 10pm on a Friday or Saturday when it was open? If you did, you'd remember the street car racing and donut-polooza.

FangKC wrote: ↑Tue Apr 09, 2024 8:16 pm

DColeKC wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2023 2:46 pm
You clearly haven't been on that street after 10pm on a Friday or Saturday when it was open? If you did, you'd remember the street car racing and donut-polooza.

https://www.kcpd.org/media/news-release ... sideshows/

FangKC wrote: ↑Tue Apr 09, 2024 8:16 pm

DColeKC wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2023 2:46 pm
You clearly haven't been on that street after 10pm on a Friday or Saturday when it was open? If you did, you'd remember the street car racing and donut-polooza.

https://www.kcpd.org/media/news-release ... sideshows/