Partnership with Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) Creates Safer Neighborhoods

By Sean O’Byrne, Vice President, Downtown Council; Executive Director, Community Improvement Districts

The Downtown Community Improvement District rolled onto the streets of Downtown Kansas City in 2003 and in the River Market in 2006. The goals of these two districts are to create clean, safe and vibrant neighborhoods. Since the early 2000’s, these two distinct neighborhoods have seen remarkable changes.

Recently the partnership between our Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) and KCPD received substantial support. Together, our CIDs worked together with and raised over $70,000 to purchase and completely outfit two state of the art Polaris Utility Vehicles (UTVs). These four passenger UTVs can rapidly deploy to trouble spots in areas where cars cannot reach.

According to Downtown Foot Patrol Sergeant Aaron Bryant, “The acquisition of these UTVs has allowed our unit to better serve our Downtown community. They allow my Officers to provide high visibility patrols while also being able to access areas not easily done on foot or in a full-size vehicle. The success of this venture shows what can be accomplished with a Public-Private partnership.”

Additionally, our CIDs received $200,000 in grants to bring off-duty officers and security technology to Downtown and the River Market. This program has been a terrific success. The additional officers serve as a deterrent to crime, and their efforts have already resulted in increased arrests and adjudication.

Together, KCPD and our CIDs are making Downtown a safer and more secure neighborhood for our property owners, residents, tenants and visitors.