I just read on the Star's website where this "Police Summit" is taking place with Chief Corwin leading it today at 1 pm at their headquarters.
First, good for him. We need this to happen.
Second, I wish more notice had been given and that it were in the evening so more Kansas Citians could attend but hey, we can't all be there I guess.
A few thoughts on the column, one by one:
No. 1: "Councilman John Sharp said several adult witnesses had told him police pepper-sprayed some crowds of African American youth who were not misbehaving."
Yes, and what's your point, Councilman? I don't get it. I was there and if the police pepper-sprayed anyone, it was because they were misbehaving and out of control. They didn't do it because of their color or race.
No. 2: "Councilwoman Melba Curls urged police and city leaders to reach out to youth as they explore solutions. She said that too often, Kansas City adults meet amongst themselves without engaging the youth on solutions to problems and concerns."
Well, yes, but come on, Councilwoman Curls, since when do these kids hang around City Hall, asking to be let in on meetings? It's not like they're being intentionally excluded. How, in fact, do you "include" these kids who actually created these problems Saturday night? That's a tough one to solve, at least.
No. 3: "Councilwoman Cindy Circo agreed and said she and others are starting to work on a youth master plan for the city. Circo said other cities have this while Kansas City does not. It would identify resources and services and where the gaps are."
Okay, Councilwoman Circo, what cities are these? And what plans do they have? And while we're at it, why didn't you or some other Council person bring up these plans before now? Finally, would you get on this and get back to us on it as soon as possible, please?
And another point on this, actually the claim that there's "nothing to do in this town" is more than a little specious.
What about those movies on the Plaza? Why isn't that "something to do"?
And no one, to my knowledge, has yet mentioned the new, beautiful and expensive community center the city built in Swope Park that is big and surely full of things to do. Why weren't these kids there, doing things with their friends, instead of creating a melee' on the Plaza?
And then there's the center on Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard. I don't hear that mentioned, either. Why weren't they there? Or at one of their homes playing games or something?
Finally, No. 3: "Circo also noted that, with new social media networks, kids today have a whole new way of communicating and congregating that can avoid adult supervision or intervention. Kansas City leaders need to make a concerted effort to involve them in any new approaches, she said."
With all due respect and no sarcasm, what, exactly, is Councilwoman Circo talking about that a city can do to "involve them in any new approaches"? Is she talking about the city texting the kids or something, or what? And let me reiterate, I'm not being sarcastic here. What is she referring to?
Hopefully we're on a road to some good solutions here.
Showing posts with label melee'. Show all posts
Showing posts with label melee'. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
And now we wait for Saturday evening (or the next flash event)
If I were a restaurateur or restaurant manager of a Country Club Plaza establishment, I'd be coming up with all kinds of extremely lucrative specials for my clients--all my clients--for this Saturday evening, if possible.
That is, I would do that if I had already spoken with the Mayor, KCMO Police Chief Corwin and Highwoods Properties Management and Security, to see if there really is a new, strong, workable, viable plan for everything to be under control this Saturday evening.
It's going to be a peculiar, fascinating weekend, here in Kansas City, in a few days, I think.
Hopefully a quiet one.
That is, I would do that if I had already spoken with the Mayor, KCMO Police Chief Corwin and Highwoods Properties Management and Security, to see if there really is a new, strong, workable, viable plan for everything to be under control this Saturday evening.
It's going to be a peculiar, fascinating weekend, here in Kansas City, in a few days, I think.
Hopefully a quiet one.
Monday, April 12, 2010
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?
• 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
Saturday night's blow up--the only two things that matter
Let's call this what this was--a melee'--as I said before.
It wasn't "riot" and it certainly wasn't a "race riot", since it isn't one group against another.
You can even call it a "flash mob" as some have but a "flash mob", up to this point has meant people that get together to entertain others and create a fleeting event.
This was a flash mob that was created only to entertain themselves, at the rather big expense of others.
Two things, then, call out to me about this incident this past Saturday evening on the Plaza.
First, it seems insane that these kids coordinated this anarchy and chaos for entertainment.
There's no other way to describe it. It was simply anarchy and chaos for entertainment.
And how do you combat that?
Anyone who says you don't need or use pepper spray, then, needs to go down there and work with the police to get and keep things under control.
The second thing about this is that this is the third week in a row this has happened and, as the weather warms and word gets out, it's increasing in the number of people who participate. Good luck to us in May, June and the rest of the Summer if this isn't under control rather quickly. As in, immediately.
So if you're the government of the City of Kansas City, Missouri, or the Mayor or the Chief of Police or part of the Police Department or Highwoods Properties or their security staff, the only question is how do you stop it from happening again?
It wasn't "riot" and it certainly wasn't a "race riot", since it isn't one group against another.
You can even call it a "flash mob" as some have but a "flash mob", up to this point has meant people that get together to entertain others and create a fleeting event.
This was a flash mob that was created only to entertain themselves, at the rather big expense of others.
Two things, then, call out to me about this incident this past Saturday evening on the Plaza.
First, it seems insane that these kids coordinated this anarchy and chaos for entertainment.
There's no other way to describe it. It was simply anarchy and chaos for entertainment.
And how do you combat that?
Anyone who says you don't need or use pepper spray, then, needs to go down there and work with the police to get and keep things under control.
The second thing about this is that this is the third week in a row this has happened and, as the weather warms and word gets out, it's increasing in the number of people who participate. Good luck to us in May, June and the rest of the Summer if this isn't under control rather quickly. As in, immediately.
So if you're the government of the City of Kansas City, Missouri, or the Mayor or the Chief of Police or part of the Police Department or Highwoods Properties or their security staff, the only question is how do you stop it from happening again?
Police say they were ready; Mayor says it was "unexpected"
According to NBC Action News , the police say they expected some action, of one sort or another, on the Plaza this last Saturday night, they just weren't for the increased numbers of kids in the crowds.
The Mayor?
In his own words, he said that the melee' was "unexpected".
It may be "unexpected" by him and his office--not a big shock--but his own police department did expect it. There's a shock, huh?
Let's see--it happened two weeks in a row, apparently, before this weekend but his office didn't expect it.
To Mayor Funkhouser: we aren't surprised.
The Mayor?
In his own words, he said that the melee' was "unexpected".
It may be "unexpected" by him and his office--not a big shock--but his own police department did expect it. There's a shock, huh?
Let's see--it happened two weeks in a row, apparently, before this weekend but his office didn't expect it.
To Mayor Funkhouser: we aren't surprised.
One is the loneliest number
After watching local Kansas City blogs over the weekend, since Saturday night, up to this moment, I've come to the conclusion that I must be the only blogger who lives on the Plaza.
The silence is pretty deafening.
The silence is pretty deafening.
Last questions--for now--on Saturday night's blow up
First, wouldn't you hate to be part of the Highwoods Properties security staff right now and be told you have to work Saturday night?
Yeah, without any real protection, nada.
Right. That'd be fun.
Second, how long do you think it will be until the entire Plaza is blocked off, a little after sunset? You'd be able to drive out but not in. If these melee's continue, it will have to be an option, I'd guess, even though it's the last thing the restaurant and bar merchants will want.
If you own Tomfooleries or any other bar/restaurant on the Plaza, don't you know you're raising hell this morning, if you haven't already been, this weekend?
Whaddya' think?
Somebody's going to do something, that's for sure.
What they'll do, now that's a whole 'nother thing.
As for the coming weekend, I saw last evening where, as of now, they're calling for rain Saturday night.
If you're the police or that same Highwoods Properties Security staff, you're praying for it.
Stay tuned, folks.
Yeah, without any real protection, nada.
Right. That'd be fun.
Second, how long do you think it will be until the entire Plaza is blocked off, a little after sunset? You'd be able to drive out but not in. If these melee's continue, it will have to be an option, I'd guess, even though it's the last thing the restaurant and bar merchants will want.
If you own Tomfooleries or any other bar/restaurant on the Plaza, don't you know you're raising hell this morning, if you haven't already been, this weekend?
Whaddya' think?
Somebody's going to do something, that's for sure.
What they'll do, now that's a whole 'nother thing.
As for the coming weekend, I saw last evening where, as of now, they're calling for rain Saturday night.
If you're the police or that same Highwoods Properties Security staff, you're praying for it.
Stay tuned, folks.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
One more (last?) question about Saturday night on the Plaza
Who thought it was a good idea to run the kids off, out of Westport, anyway?
Since when do you think sweeping something like that, "under the rug", so to speak, is going to solve anything?
Why should anyone be surprised they moved to the Plaza?
Who was the rocket scientist who thought that up?
And who, if anyone, thought that simply running them off was going to be the big solution to that problem?
Since when do you think sweeping something like that, "under the rug", so to speak, is going to solve anything?
Why should anyone be surprised they moved to the Plaza?
Who was the rocket scientist who thought that up?
And who, if anyone, thought that simply running them off was going to be the big solution to that problem?
More thoughts on last night's Plaza mess
There was just too much of what happened last evening on the Plaza to not have some more thoughts on it so here goes:
I'd really like to not see it referred to as a "riot" because that seems wrong for several reasons.
Calling it a riot seems to imply that it was organized and it patently wasn't--the only thing that may have been organized was converging in one place and raising cane.
This didn't have any real goals, it doesn't seem. It was just anarchy and chaos for entertainment's sake, I think and believe, unless and until someone can prove differently.
Finally, an "internet friend" of mine here in Kansas City (from the Kansas side, as a matter of fact), one Dr. Ernest Evans (no relation) wrote me the following today and I found it very true, of course and illuminating:
"Dan Rather has said that all journalists in the US live in terror of the "Racism Police" of the liberals and the "Patriotism Police" of the conservatives.
I hadn't heard this quote. It surprised me I hadn't.
And it's very applicable here. I think the local news organizations--the TV stations and the Star--will be very careful reporting on last night's melee'.
City government will be the same way, I think, for the same reasons but we need to do some serious, fast research on this and find out the following:
--Why two of these, to date, have happened--are they, in fact, chaos and anarchy for entertainment's sake?;
--How they're starting;
--Who is starting them;
--Finally, what needs to be done to have them stopped immediately?
Think about it. If we don't find out these last four things, above, and right away, I think everyone will expect this to happen again next Saturday evening.
For that matter, what's to keep it from happening again, tonight, after dark?
The answer is: nothing at all.
I'd really like to not see it referred to as a "riot" because that seems wrong for several reasons.
Calling it a riot seems to imply that it was organized and it patently wasn't--the only thing that may have been organized was converging in one place and raising cane.
This didn't have any real goals, it doesn't seem. It was just anarchy and chaos for entertainment's sake, I think and believe, unless and until someone can prove differently.
Finally, an "internet friend" of mine here in Kansas City (from the Kansas side, as a matter of fact), one Dr. Ernest Evans (no relation) wrote me the following today and I found it very true, of course and illuminating:
"Dan Rather has said that all journalists in the US live in terror of the "Racism Police" of the liberals and the "Patriotism Police" of the conservatives.
I hadn't heard this quote. It surprised me I hadn't.
And it's very applicable here. I think the local news organizations--the TV stations and the Star--will be very careful reporting on last night's melee'.
City government will be the same way, I think, for the same reasons but we need to do some serious, fast research on this and find out the following:
--Why two of these, to date, have happened--are they, in fact, chaos and anarchy for entertainment's sake?;
--How they're starting;
--Who is starting them;
--Finally, what needs to be done to have them stopped immediately?
Think about it. If we don't find out these last four things, above, and right away, I think everyone will expect this to happen again next Saturday evening.
For that matter, what's to keep it from happening again, tonight, after dark?
The answer is: nothing at all.
Questions for Kansas City after last night's mess on the Plaza
First, what the hell was that?
You know what I'm talking about.
The 2nd melee' on the Country Club Plaza last evening.
Again, what the hell was that?
There are so many questions.
Like what were these kids doing? Was there an event, in their eyes? There must be. Some reason why they all converged right there on the Plaza.
Then, how do we get these to not happen again, for obvious reasons? I was walking out of Unity Temple on the Plaza about 10 pm (after seeing a terrific Celtic concert you may have missed, but that's another story) when there were police and people and the local police helicopter--the whole shmear--converging on our beloved Plaza.
You have to know the "city fathers" are concerned about this one.
It's only Spring--April, for pity's sake--and things are busting out all over--and not in a good way?
Here's another question for us, and it's my favorite today: What are you, Mr. and Mrs. Mayor, going to finally do about this?
I mean, you totally, completely and utterly ignored all the shootings in the city last year and while you've been Mayor, thank you very much, but this one you can't overlook.
Once more, with feeling: What are you going to do about this?
I'll tell you what you'd better do, even though it's unsolicited advice--you'd better get with the Police Department right away (like you didn't for the murders and shootings, to repeat) and develop a plan for handling this.
And then, the 2nd and last thing you'd better do is get with all the African-American leaders in this city you can get in a room and calmly, quietly and intelligently address this situation.
You're going to need to ask questions like:
--why did these 2 melee's happen?
--what are these kids doing down there on Saturday night that they collect like this (because we sure don't understand it)?
--how do we keep these things from repeating because every responsible parent in this city doesn't want things like this happening.
Finally, there better be answers quickly, otherwise, this is going to happen again and again, for the rest of the summer.
And they'll only get bigger and uglier, in the meantime.
(Pssst, Rep. Cleaver. Can you help us with this? Do you have any information? Input? Can you help?)
You know what I'm talking about.
The 2nd melee' on the Country Club Plaza last evening.
Again, what the hell was that?
There are so many questions.
Like what were these kids doing? Was there an event, in their eyes? There must be. Some reason why they all converged right there on the Plaza.
Then, how do we get these to not happen again, for obvious reasons? I was walking out of Unity Temple on the Plaza about 10 pm (after seeing a terrific Celtic concert you may have missed, but that's another story) when there were police and people and the local police helicopter--the whole shmear--converging on our beloved Plaza.
You have to know the "city fathers" are concerned about this one.
It's only Spring--April, for pity's sake--and things are busting out all over--and not in a good way?
Here's another question for us, and it's my favorite today: What are you, Mr. and Mrs. Mayor, going to finally do about this?
I mean, you totally, completely and utterly ignored all the shootings in the city last year and while you've been Mayor, thank you very much, but this one you can't overlook.
Once more, with feeling: What are you going to do about this?
I'll tell you what you'd better do, even though it's unsolicited advice--you'd better get with the Police Department right away (like you didn't for the murders and shootings, to repeat) and develop a plan for handling this.
And then, the 2nd and last thing you'd better do is get with all the African-American leaders in this city you can get in a room and calmly, quietly and intelligently address this situation.
You're going to need to ask questions like:
--why did these 2 melee's happen?
--what are these kids doing down there on Saturday night that they collect like this (because we sure don't understand it)?
--how do we keep these things from repeating because every responsible parent in this city doesn't want things like this happening.
Finally, there better be answers quickly, otherwise, this is going to happen again and again, for the rest of the summer.
And they'll only get bigger and uglier, in the meantime.
(Pssst, Rep. Cleaver. Can you help us with this? Do you have any information? Input? Can you help?)
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