Showing posts with label Saturday night. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saturday night. Show all posts
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
On today's KCMO Police Summit at 1 pm
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
What's happening in Kansas City right now
For starters, it's cold, naturally, since it's January. It's been bitter cold. And then there has been the ice and/or snow, at times.
And yet--secondly--the shootings and killings continue.
What the heck?
Aren't the killings and shootings supposed to stop in this cold, dark time of the year?
You would think so.
They used to.
They should, still, too.
But check it out --last night, according to Alonzo Washington and his local blog, there were 6 people shot in the metropolitan area last night.
That's insane.
And though last year was bad in this city, for murders, we're at 8 killings right now, compared to 6 at this time last year. (Thanks to Ernest Evans for this information).
I, along with other bloggers, have been writing about this time and again.
Somehow, we need to solve this problem, as a city. We need to get a handle on this.
Really, if we can have 6 people shot on a Saturday night in January, how many will it be in June, July and August, when temperatures are so much higher?
Then, third, for what's going on in town, I went to The Kansas City Star's website just now (mid-morning Sunday) and do you think anything is there about these shootings and murders in town last night?
I searched a few pages and found nothing. Nada.
So the local newspaper isn't even covering this.
That's stunning.
Finally, then, for events of the city, it's been reported that cars are getting broken into in the Crossroads District, downtown. It's happened, apparently, at least twice.
It happens--and has been happening--frequently, right on the Plaza. I know it happens all too frequently on the East side of the Plaza, over by the Board of Trade, at minimum. So it's occuring in some of the most prized real estate in town, as well as downtown, at minimum. (Admittedly, I don't know how you stop this kind of quick, stupid "smash and grab" crime but you have to think something's got to be done.)
If the Mayor or City Council or other leaders in town think this city is in control, it seems they're mistaken.
Possibly badly mistaken.
_________________________
Mid-day update: at 1:30 pm today, Sunday, I see the Star has updated their online page and there are 2 stories about the shootings. Hoo-rah.
And yet--secondly--the shootings and killings continue.
What the heck?
Aren't the killings and shootings supposed to stop in this cold, dark time of the year?
You would think so.
They used to.
They should, still, too.
But check it out --last night, according to Alonzo Washington and his local blog, there were 6 people shot in the metropolitan area last night.
That's insane.
And though last year was bad in this city, for murders, we're at 8 killings right now, compared to 6 at this time last year. (Thanks to Ernest Evans for this information).
I, along with other bloggers, have been writing about this time and again.
Somehow, we need to solve this problem, as a city. We need to get a handle on this.
Really, if we can have 6 people shot on a Saturday night in January, how many will it be in June, July and August, when temperatures are so much higher?
Then, third, for what's going on in town, I went to The Kansas City Star's website just now (mid-morning Sunday) and do you think anything is there about these shootings and murders in town last night?
I searched a few pages and found nothing. Nada.
So the local newspaper isn't even covering this.
That's stunning.
Finally, then, for events of the city, it's been reported that cars are getting broken into in the Crossroads District, downtown. It's happened, apparently, at least twice.
It happens--and has been happening--frequently, right on the Plaza. I know it happens all too frequently on the East side of the Plaza, over by the Board of Trade, at minimum. So it's occuring in some of the most prized real estate in town, as well as downtown, at minimum. (Admittedly, I don't know how you stop this kind of quick, stupid "smash and grab" crime but you have to think something's got to be done.)
If the Mayor or City Council or other leaders in town think this city is in control, it seems they're mistaken.
Possibly badly mistaken.
_________________________
Mid-day update: at 1:30 pm today, Sunday, I see the Star has updated their online page and there are 2 stories about the shootings. Hoo-rah.
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