by Kelly Rogge
Kansas City Kansas Community College is “making life better” with a fence demolition project on the KCKCC main campus.
The fence ran along the southern and western property line, separating KCKCC from the residential complexes surrounding campus. The fence, which dates back to the 1970s, had become overgrown with foliage and weeds and in many places had deteriorated to the point that sections had fallen down.
“The fence no longer provided a barrier,” said Chief Greg Schneider of the KCKCC Campus Police. “The fence was decaying and overgrown. There were places that you could literally ride a bike through it.”
As KCKCC was looking at how to deal with the fence issue, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department was also looking at ways to improve quality of life of the people it serves as well as lower crime in the immediate area. Major Henry Horn, who is commander of the police department’s West Division, said the fence negatively impacted residents’ line of sight when it came to property crime and did not clearly define the space.
“What we look at is the environment,” he said. “What are the defined spaces? Is there natural surveillance? Are the trees trimmed so that there is a clear line of sight for residents?”
Joining KCKCC campus police and administration in the discussions were representatives from the Unified Government and Village Woods Estates as well as KCK police officers Kathy Rausch and Lily Szewc; Tony Lee from community policing; Major Horn and Capt. Steve Haulmark. The goal was to discuss a solution to the obsolete fencing.
“What I think is so exciting is that this partnership is between so many different groups,” Schneider said. “It truly addresses so many different areas – community safety, safety on campus and the overall appearance of the campus grounds. We pulled together many resources to address these issues. I think it shows what you can accomplish if you work together.”
On March 31 the existing fence was demolished and crews are continuing to clear away debris to make way for a brand-new 8-foot chain link fence. This fence will run along the western border of campus, moving toward the south and connect with an existing 8-foot fence directly behind the Police Academy. Installation is expected to begin in the next couple of weeks.
“We can’t do it ourselves. If we are not on the same page when it comes to preventing crime, then it would be a complete disaster and nothing would get done,” Horn said. “The new fencing is more realistic, and a great example how the college staff was willing to work together with all stakeholders involved to improve quality of life issues on campus along with the adjoining neighborhoods. This would not be possible without the collective partnerships with citizens, property owners, KCKPD, Public Works and KCKCC.
Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
