Month: May 2017

District attorney’s job more than prosecution

Views
Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

It is important that the Wyandotte County District Attorney be proactive and also focus on crime prevention.

That was the message from Mark Dupree, who became the Wyandotte County District Attorney Jan. 9 of this year. He defeated the Democrat incumbent, Jerry Gorman, last August after a spirited election contest. Dupree spoke at the monthly meeting of the Congressional Forum Friday, May 19, at the Sporting Kansas City soccer stadium.

Mark Dupree

Dupree said his office has the responsibility to prosecute violent adult and juvenile criminal cases. However, it is also important for the district attorney to be very visible in the community and take advantage and work with the various community resources that can prevent crime.

Dupree works closely with all law enforcement units in Wyandotte County including the Kansas City, Kansas, Bonner Springs and Edwardsville police departments, the Wyandotte County Sheriff and the campus police officers at the Kansas City Kansas Community College and the Kansas City, Kansas, School District.

Dupree said he has a staff of 60 persons in his office including 26 lawyers. He has high praise for his staff, but said he needs more personnel to handle all the cases in his office.

He said one of the challenges of his office is handling cases involving those who are mentally ill. He said it helps that most of the law enforcement officers in Kansas City, Kansas, have been trained so they know how to deal with mental patients. Unfortunately, there are not adequate places to house these patients, so they may end up with the general population in the Wyandotte County Jail.

Dupree said another important aspect of his office is assisting the victims of crime and explaining to them how the criminal process works. Working to protect abused children is another important aspect of his office.

Dupree, the first black district attorney in Wyandotte County, is a graduate of the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and the Washburn School of Law, Topeka. He and his wife Shanelle are the parents of four children. He is also an ordained clergyman.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.

First responders to get in free at first night of Shrine Rodeo

The Shrine Rodeo will honor the men and women who protect the country abroad and at home, and those who respond in emergencies.

On the first night of the rodeo, May 25, in Tonganoxie at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds, all first responders and military will be admitted to the rodeo for free, along with their families.

First responders: firefighters, emergency medical services, and police, along with active, reserve and retired military, with identification, will be able to watch the rodeo for free.

Several members of the city of Tonganoxie Fire Department have taken advantage of the offer in past years, said Chris Jennings, chief training officer, and they enjoy it.

“It’s a great place to have families together,” he said. It’s a chance for members to get together in a casual setting, instead of on the job. “A lot of times on shift, we don’t get to see everybody we work with, so it’s a way to bring our guys together. It helps our brotherhood. Establishing those personal relationships before the call is important.”

Mike Tavares, the 2017 chairman of the Shrine Rodeo, served in the Army as an aviator for 17 years. He, along with his fellow Shriners, wanted a way to show their respect for those who protect.

“We want them to know we appreciate their efforts, and this is a way to show our gratitude,” he said.

Jennings is new to the area, so he has not attended the rodeo yet, but he plans on it for this year, and will bring his son with him. “I’m excited to bring him over.”

The Shrine Rodeo and Demo Derby kicks off this weekend. The rodeo is May 25-26, with the demo derby on May 27. All three nights begin at 7 pm. Rodeo tickets are $12 for adults and $4 for children ages 4-12. Demo derby tickets are $12 for everyone ages 6 and up.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ShrineRodeo.com, at Brothers Market in Tonganoxie, and at the gate.

An automotive swap meet will be held on May 27, starting at 8 a.m.