May 2017 – Page 68 – Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!

Police step up enforcement in one KCK area

Kansas City, Kansas, Police Chief Terry Zeigler announced on social media on Tuesday that there would be an increased enforcement effort in one area of Kansas City, Kansas.

The area is from 7th to 18th streets, Grandview Boulevard to Pacific Avenue, he said.

Zeigler said in this 1.2-square mile area, Kansas City, Kansas, experienced 80 of 286 drive-by shootings last year and 14 of 47 homicides last year.

He said police would address homicides, robberies, burglaries, gang activities, dope houses, street sales, blight issues and traffic safety in the area.

Traffic safety would be addressed through high visibility, prevention and education, he said. It is not about revenue generation, harassment or immigration, he said.

“We want to make Central Avenue a safe place for people to come and shop,” Zeigler said.

He said blight in the area would be addressed through community policing strategies and problem-solving strategies. He asked for the community’s help in the project, which is called Address Crime Together.

A video of Zeigler’s message can be viewed on the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department’s Facebook page.

Mayor discusses economic development at Leavenworth Road Association meeting

by Lou Braswell

Mayor Mark Holland shared updates of what was happening in all four corners of Wyandotte County during a speech to the Leavenworth Road Association Tuesday night at the Eisenhower Recreation Center.

He also answered questions about many topics, including what will happen with Indian Springs and the American Royal. He explained his position on Indian Springs redevelopment, that the time and project were not right for the development that was proposed there, that it has waited 10 years for redevelopment, and could wait a few more years for plans to be developed.

Also present at the Leavenworth Road Asosication meeting were Commissioner Gayle Townsend, District 1; Commissioner Melissa Bynum, at large, District 2; State Sen. David Haley, D-4th Dist., and Sarah Kremer, candidate for 5th District commissioner.

The next Leavenworth Road Association meeting will be June 13 at the Eisenhower Recreation Center. The guest speaker will be Mike Connor, former director of the Parks and Recreation Department. He will talk about the history of Wyandotte County Lake.

Suspect in custody in triple homicide case at 1900 block of South Boeke

Kansas City, Kansas, police have a suspect in custody after a triple homicide Tuesday night in the 1900 block of South Boeke Street.

Police officers, after discovering the homicides, went to the 3200 block of Waverly Avenue, where they saw the suspect, a police spokesman stated. He was taken into custody. A police dog assisted in the search.

Police said they responded to a shooting call at about 10:22 p.m. May 9 in the 1900 block of South Boeke Street.

A victim came home and was struck in the head by a male suspect, a preliminary investigation revealed. The suspect shot the victim in the back and then left, police stated. The victim was able to alert police, who responded to the home, the spokesman stated.

When officers arrived, they made contact with the victim and found three adults who were deceased from apparent gunshot wounds, including two males and one female, inside the residence, the police spokesman stated.

The identity of the victims is being withheld until there is positive identification and family notification.

The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.