Safety Announcement – November 2024

Rob Reiman, RMCA Board Member

Neighbors,

The River Market Community Improvement District (RMCID) established a safety and security ‘committee/task force’ in 2023 as crime numbers began to suggest an upward trend.  The group is led by residents and business owners.  I’ll summarize some of our findings and recommendations that we are moving forward with – though progress will require some time along with some investments. I hope you find it meaningful. 

1. This is not unique to our community.  This is happening across the country, and across our city.
2. Some root cause analysis suggests that the lack of jail beds is THE leading contributor to this systemic issue.  Without a place to put the bad actors, prosecution is meaningless.  They can be found guilty, but then found quickly back on the street because there is a lack of jail space to detain those that are successfully prosecuted.   So if you are invited to vote or weigh in on investments for this critical infrastructure – please support it.  Councilman Rea is working hard to push this forward.
3. Young high schoolers are active in a portion of the recent activity including the stealing of KIAs and Hyundai’s, and the pillage of property in vehicles.  Prosecuting juveniles (<18 years old) is ……complicated.  They do not go through the adult criminal justice system.  Sounds like River Bend has a meeting scheduled with Councilman Rea.  This might be an area to discuss.
4. As a committee, we have been investigating and exploring best practices to address these issues in lieu of jail space.  Technology is near the top of the list of tools, along with some common-sense tips (I’ll share some examples at the end).
5. While cameras have historically been only good for providing evidence for prosecuting bad actors – this is changing.  As it turns out, MONITORED cameras can help deter, minimize and in some cases prevent the incident from occurring.  But this also requires an ability for officers to be dispatched quickly.  As a result, the RM CID committee has submitted a (large) request for camera technology for our neighborhood.   If approved (our two 4^th district councilmen control those decisions – so advocacy from the neighborhood can help!) we will have a network of over 30 cameras in the River Market.  If we receive approval of this PIAC funding – these cameras could be installed by summer of next year.
6. The second part of this technology solution requires that the cameras be monitored during the day and especially at night (acknowledging that several recent events are occurring in day time hours).  The RM CID board recently approved a request to create a petition to renew the RM CID charter, to include funding for personnel to monitor the proposed cameras 16 hours a day.
7. The third and critical part of this proposed program is to utilize a third-party security firm at night.  Funding for this proposed program will also be part of this petition to renew the RM CID contract.   Property owners will be asked to approve this petition this winter.  If you own in the RM – PLEASE support this petition! Yes, this means rates will go up.  But this is critical to addressing this safety issue.
8. The timing on turning this program on would be roughly late fall of next year.  With the recent ‘surge’ in incidents, the committee has decided to add a more immediate proposal.  Presently, River Market businesses (which includes apartment buildings) utilize 6+ security companies.  Each company is responsible for their individual property in the contract.   If they witness a crime on a property that is not part of their agreement – they ‘cannot’ (or do not) respond.  The latest proposal is to consolidate all of these agreements into a single master services agreement with RM CID, so that the contract is for the entire neighborhood; not individual properties.   A couple weeks ago, nearly all the property managers and owners met to discuss this idea.  It was well received and we have a high percentage of properties committing to participate beginning in the January timeframe.  We view this as an important interim solution until next year’s camera and monitoring program gets launched.  If your property does not currently have security entering a lot and/or garage or premise – and you would like to be included (which will help fund this program) please also let us know at rmca@kcrivermarket.com.
9. Tips –

• Do not attempt to intervene in a crime.  Call 911, RM CID at (816) 421 – 5243 during the day, and our local downtown foot patrol (also during the day) – Sgt. Bryant at 816- 328- 2418.
• I know we have all heard we should not leave anything visible in your car.  It matters.
• Don’t leave your garage door openers in your vehicle.  If they get stolen – those thieves will be back, unencumbered. If you have had one stolen – notify your property manager immediately.  Often, your code can be removed from your security system.
• DON’T allow tailgating / drafting into the secured area.  Our neighborhood is full of kind hearted neighbors.  But times are such that if you don’t know someone entering your secured parking lot or building – PLEASE DON’T let them in.  And if you are entering/leaving your parking lot or garage – PLEASE DON’T let a vehicle in!  We have lots of videos showing this happening.  You are inviting crime.  This is a big one.
• If you own an older KIA or Hyundai – update your security system at a dealer and use a steering wheel lock.  (they are available from KCMO PD for free)
• If your building front entry is glass – add 3M Security Film to your glass.  It is not very expensive and it prevents entry by vandals breaking the glass to enter.
• If you own a business and don’t currently utilize an alarm system, please add one.  The city is offering grant funding to cover the costs of security enhancements, and other improvements aimed at preventing future incidents.  The grant application can be found here: https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/neighborhood-services/back-to-business-fund
• If your exterior doors utilize mag locks, make sure those magnets align perfectly.  Otherwise, those magnets are not operating at capacity.  Those magnets can also sometimes be upgraded, and if that does not stop your perpetrators – switch to electric strikes.
• Be sure to have latch guards on all exterior doors to make it more difficult to pry open.
• Exercise our “Neighborhood Watch”, i.e. be alert, and if you see something peculiar or fishy – please call RMCID or Sgt Bryant to check it out.

If you have any questions, please email Rob Reiman at rmca@kcrivermarket.com.