Two more shootings in town--but not a word from "The Mayors"--or any mayoral candidate?

Last evening a young guy, 24, was on his front porch, downloading movies on his laptop when two morons--at least one with a gun--came along and apparently wanted the laptop.  The young man got up to go inside, sensing trouble, but too late--the idiot with the gun shot him in the back. 

Then there's this:

A Kansas City resident taking a walk this morning found a man shot to death in a grassy area near 44th Street and Myrtle Avenue.

So, once again--we're used to it, unfortunately--some people have been shot in town and there's no one to prosecute for them, so far.

You wouldn't believe we're in the middle of a mayoral race, would you?

I've written here several times before about how these two co-mayors don't say a thing or offer any guidance or leadership on these shootings and killings in town.  No calling for City Hall to get together with civic, church and other community leaders to meet and discuss just what we all can do--nothing.  They don't even reference the shootings, as though they never happen.

Nothing.  Not a word.  Not a peep.

Now, two shootings in about 12 hours time and still, to this moment, not a word.  Five days ago, another teen was found shot dead in a car here in town (see final link, below).

Hopefully one or more of the mayoral candidates will speak up on this, declare it unacceptable and make some very real promise to have these meetings, at least, so we can get to some hopeful solutions to the shootings, drive-by shootings and killings in Kansas City.

Links:  http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/29/2480895/computer-user-shot-in-back-on.html
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/29/2480820/kc-police-investigating-fatal.html
http://kcpdchief.blogspot.com/2010/11/teen-found-dead-in-car-identified.html

Anarchy, chaos and intimidation for their own "entertainment" brought to you by the youth of Kansas City

What happened Saturday night, according to the Police's own log, taken from a link at Police Chief Corwin's blog, because we need to know what happened:

• Crowds began to gather in front of businesses, blocking the entrances and exits, and would not move. Officers were deployed on foot to move crowds.

• Traffic was at a standstill and traffic was requested to assist with traffic flow.

• Helicopter responded after numerous crowds began to run and numerous fight calls were received. He spent at least 3 hours overhead assisting officers with their movement and following the crowds.

• The Classic Cup, 301 West 47th was a central focus and had numerous large disturbances in front of the business. Several complaints were received from patrons at this location and their fear of being hurt.

• We responded to PF Changs to assist with clearing juveniles out of the restrooms. They were harassing customers and blocking the foyer of the business.

• During one of the large disturbances along 47th street a knife was located lying on the sidewalk in the middle of the crowd.

• As the juveniles were circling the Plaza they were grabbing flowers, flower pots, and damaging various greenery around the Plaza.

• A Plaza medic responded to treat a 16 year old girl who got run over by one of the stampedes. She had several abrasions but was not seriously hurt.

• Citizens were continually stopping officers and complaining of the crowds, that they were being pushed and shoved, and that the kids were trying to intimidate them.

• Plaza Security had to assist with walking patrons to their vehicles due to the number of request for escorts due to fear of their safety.

• The foot/traffic flow became so bad that the Horse and Buggy Operation had to close due to cancellations along with the inability to function.

• Every time there was interaction with any of the juveniles obscenities were flowing freely along with disrespect not only for authority but anyone they came into contact with.

• At approximately 2200 hours the situation was at a flash point and a mass exit of patrons was observed due to the disorder going on.

• As a couple exited the Cheesecake Factory, dressed in tuxedo and formal dress for prom, the female was shoved into the fountain by a group of juveniles who then ran and not apprehended.

• As the flash point hit officers had to deploy pepper spray to disperse the crowds to minimize injury to citizens. Numerous MK-46’s were emptied along with 12-13 MK-9’s being emptied to get the crowd to move.

• Numerous businesses contacted police in regards to wanting to make complaints. Also, citizens from out of town asked officers on several occasions if this was normal or stated they would not come back.

• In a parking garage at Nichols and Pennsylvania, a husband and wife were jumped by approximately 15 juveniles. They were assaulted and then the suspects took the husbands glasses and the wife’s purse.

Say, side note, where are you planning to have dinner Saturday night?

KC Police Chief Corwin's response to Saturday's Plaza brawl

From his blog:

Plaza incident

"As you’ve probably heard, large crowds of juveniles converged on the Country Club Plaza on Saturday night and wreaked havoc throughout. They intimidated shoppers and diners, destroyed property, committed a strong-arm robbery, and a juvenile suffered severe head injuries in an aggravated assault. Police took control of the crowds using traffic crews to close streets, pepper spray to disperse the crowds and a helicopter overhead to help officers on the ground find the most troublesome areas."

"We will be taking a number of measures to ensure those who shop, visit, dine at and stroll around Kansas City’s historic Plaza area can do so without fear. We will be meeting with the Plaza Merchant’s Association, NAACP and others to put together the best possible plan to allow Plaza patrons to fully enjoy themselves while keeping disorder at bay. We plan strict enforcement this weekend and for future weekends, and it will be mobile in case problems arise elsewhere."

"We will be closely following the development of any similar events. If you hear of a group planning to organize something like this, please call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. You will remain anonymous, and you could save someone’s life. As I mentioned, one young man was seriously hurt in Saturday night’s incident."

Uh, right, Chief. I'm sure they're going to call. You'd better get back to your office right away and wait for it to come in.

Reading through the lines here, I make this predictable prediction: Cinemark will no longer allow teens to come to movies there, without parents, as it used to be.

Link to original post here: http://kcpdchief.blogspot.com/2010/04/plaza-incident.html

Fun breakfast fundraiser Saturday morning

From KCMO Police Chief James Corwin's blog today:

Kansas City area residents can enjoy a delicious breakfast delivered by a police officer and support Missouri Special Olympics at the same time with Saturday’s Tip-A-Cop event at metro Corner Café restaurants.

More than 40 police officers will be at three Corner Café restaurants in Riverside, Kansas City North and Independence from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 6. Instead of their usual job of fighting crime, the off-duty, uniformed officers will be taking orders, serving food, cleaning tables and assisting the regular wait staff at each location.

At the end of each customer’s meal, officers will encourage diners to tip their “real” waiter or waitress first and then ask them if they’d like to make a donation to Special Olympics, the charity of choice for law enforcement nationwide.

Last year’s Tip-A-Cop raised $3,000 for Missouri Special Olympics at just the Riverside Corner Café location. Thanks to the generosity of Corner Café, this year’s event expands to all three of their locations and will include not only Kansas City and Riverside police but also officers from Independence and Liberty police departments.

This year’s Tip-A-Cop Corner Café locations are:

Riverside, Mo.: 4541 NW Gateway Ave.

Kansas City: 8301 N. Flintlock Rd.

Independence, Mo.: 4215 S. Little Blue Parkway

Go! Enjoy! All for a great cause!

And have a great weekend.