KCK police launch hotline to report businesses not complying with the stay-home order

Kansas City, Kansas, police have launched a hotline on Thursday to report businesses that are not compliant with the local COVID-19 stay-at-home order.

The stay-at-home order went into effect on Tuesday, March 24, in Wyandotte County.

Currently, according to Nancy Chartrand, public information officer for the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, all businesses in Wyandotte County are compliant with the order, as far as the police know. She added that could change after they receive more hotline calls.

Police have received some past calls in which the callers did not understand the order and didn’t realize the businesses were listed as “essential businesses” that could stay open, she added, in a telephone interview.

One of those instances was Nebraska Furniture Mart, which is allowed to stay open under the “essential business” supplying needed goods and services, but has chosen to close its doors on Friday evening for the betterment of the community, she said. The store is changing to online and phone sales, with outside pickup and delivery available.

Some “nonessential” businesses have closed their doors in Wyandotte County, while other businesses, such as restaurants, have changed to carryout only.

Also, the “stay-at-home” ordinance allows anyone, essential business or not, to work on business at their own homes.

The ordinance that was passed applies not just to businesses, but also to nonprofit organizations and individuals. It also prevents gatherings of 10 or more people.

While the ordinance is called “stay-at-home,” it allows people to get out to the grocery stores, hardware stores, pharmacies, medical appointments and other activities. It allows people to go out for walks and exercise, also.

If officers see a group of 10 or more people gathering in the community, the officers’ first priority will be to educate the persons, Chartrand said.

The situation with the stay-home order is something brand new, something the community has not experienced before, and the police understand it may be confusing, she said. Officers will tell people it isn’t a healthy situation to gather in large groups, it increases their risk of being exposed to the virus and also could expose someone else, she said.

Officers also have bilingual educational cards on COVID-19 that they will hand out to people, in case some people may not be aware of the situation, she said. It’s possible some residents may not have good information because of language barriers, she added.

The police department’s role is to enforce the ordinances, she said, and it has the ability to enforce them. They are in constant contact with the health department, she added.

Chartrand also wanted the public to know that the hotline number is for Wyandotte County only, not for businesses anywhere else.

According to the police department, residents may report any business or individuals that they believe are not complying with the “stay-at-home” order, by calling the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department’s special reporting line. The hotline number is 913-225-4788.

The phone line will be in operation from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. At other times, calls can be made to the police department’s non-emergency number at 913-596-3000, where residents may leave their name, telephone number, address of the business or individual who is believed to be noncompliant, a contact name for the business, and the nature of the perceived violation, according to police.

According to police, while they can enforce the order, they are asking for the business community to self-comply and eliminate the need for enforcement. If a complaint is received, officers will reach out and have a conversation to explain the “stay at home” order and answer questions in the hope of voluntary compliance, according to police. If an owner refuses to comply, a citation will be issued, according to a news release from police.

The police department listed examples of essential business as:

• Hospitals 
• Child care facilities 
• Government operations 
• Pharmacies, health care supply stores, and health care facilities 
• Grocery stores 
• Construction only to the extent that they provide services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences or other essential businesses or are involved in health care operations, essential infrastructure or essential government functions
• Farms 
• Gas stations and auto repair facilities 
• Banks 
• Garbage collection 
• Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other essential businesses 
• Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning
• Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers 
• Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, and goods directly to residences

The complete list of essential businesses also includes the restaurants open for drive-through, delivery and carryout and not for dine-in; businesses that supply products needed for people to work at home; other businesses that supply essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate; taxis and other private transportation providers for essential activities and purposes authorized in the order; home-based care for seniors, adults and children; residential facilities and shelter for seniors, adults and children; professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist with legally mandated activities; businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes; and the news and media services. The complete list, with more detail, is at https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/UG_EMERGENCY_HEALTH_ORDER_STAY_AT_HOME.pdf.

Owners who do not see their business listed should read the stay at home health order at wycokck.org/COVID-19 and exercise judgment that will keep them, their employees, and the community safe, according to police. The police are on social media on Facebook @KCKPolice.

Social service agencies seeing increase in need from COVID-19 pandemic

by Mary Rupert

The closure of businesses and the loss of jobs in the area are having an effect on social service agencies.

Susila Jones, executive director of Cross-Lines Community Outreach, 736 Shawnee, Kansas City, Kansas, said in a telephone interview that they have seen increased numbers of people who need food assistance this week. Social distancing and stay-home rules are having an effect.

Usually, the agency sees about 35 families a day at its food pantry. This week, it served more than 150 families, she said.

“We are really, really worried about our food supply,” she said.

“We anticipate that the need is going to continue to increase, and to be harder and harder for us to get food, not just us, but for all (agencies),” she added.

Some of its regular food sources are not able to provide enough food currently.

“There are so many agencies like us needing food,” she added.

Thursday, there wasn’t a line around the block like there was on Wednesday, she noted.

An increase was seen as many people had their work hours reduced last week and are already feeling a financial strain, she said.

Also, the agency has had to make several changes with social distancing rules now in place.

In the past, people were able to come into the food pantry and choose the food they need, she said. Now, for social distancing, Cross-Lines has changed to a drive-through food pantry. An individual tells the agency the size of their family, and then volunteers and staff put boxed food into the cars as they pull up, she added.

This means there isn’t much choice of food for the families, as in the past, she said. On Thursday, families had a choice between two types of meat and after Thursday, they probably will have only one choice available, she added.

The agency has struggled to get food from Harvesters recently, as there is so much of an increased demand on them, she said. Some churches in the area had food pantries that have closed, and some of their clients are shifting to food pantries such as Cross-Lines, she said.

There has been stepped-up support from some churches, including the Church of the Resurrection, which is doing a food drop for Cross-Lines this weekend, she added.

Usually, Cross-Lines has a food kitchen serving a breakfast and hot lunch Monday through Friday, she said.

That has changed, with the dining room closed, and now Cross-Lines is handing out sack lunches from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., she said. The changes were made for social distancing and also to make sure the food is safe, she said. The dining room is closed so there are not too many people in the building, she added.

With the stay-home order in effect for a month, Cross-Lines has had to cancel two fundraisers and has sent out a plea to supporters to help cover the cost of food, she said.

She added that Cross-Lines will be sending an application to a new community organization that has been formed through the Greater Kansas City Foundation, and also to other programs, to help with funding for social service agencies.

Currently, the Wyandotte County Health Department and community health project are coordinating a project looking at ways to get food to people who are homebound because of a COVID-19 diagnosis or who can’t get out for food, she said. Details were still being worked out on that program, she added, and the local social service agencies may be a part of that.

“We are committed to staying here and making sure the community’s needs are met,” Jones said.

Cross-Lines has relied in the past on many volunteers over age 65, she said. They have encouraged volunteers over 65 to take a step back at this time, because of the risks, and are seeing an increase in younger volunteers to step in and fill some of the needs, she said.

“It’s a great way for younger folks to get involved and help protect our older population,” she said.

For more information on how to help, visit https://www.cross-lines.org/.

New community fund to address urgent local needs in response to COVID-19 pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a coalition of charitable organizations, businesses and governments has joined to respond to needs in the Kansas City area.

Named the Kansas City Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, the new effort will address the highest community needs, focusing on urgent health and human service needs, according to a spokesman.

Coordinating organizations include the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, United Way of Greater Kansas City, LISC Greater Kansas City (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) and MARC (Mid-America Regional Council).

The new fund has set an initial goal of $10 million, and has a challenge grant of $5 million, according to a spokesman. The Hall Family Foundation and the Sunderland Foundation have partnered on a challenge grant to match donations to the fund up to $5 million.

Debbie Wilkerson, president and CEO with the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, said Wyandotte County will be represented in the 15-member advisory committee making grant decisions. She said the new organization is seeking donations as well as seeking community agencies that want to participate.

She said there are needs in all parts of the region, and the fund is designed to support vulnerable communities.

“We are encouraging donors at every level to participate in this fund and take advantage of the match,” Wilkerson said.

At this time, the new organization is not sure of the amount of money that will be needed. She said the effect probably will be far greater than any one sector, philanthropy or government, can handle.

“We are working to build a cohesive and collaborative group with the philanthropy sector so we can all do our part,” she said.

The fund will support relief efforts in the Greater Kansas City area, including Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties in Missouri; and Johnson, Wyandotte, Leavenworth and Miami counties in Kansas. Grants will be made to 501(c)(3) public charities and public organizations.

The fund expects to deploy an initial round of grants as soon as possible to support operations and services with a focus on critical needs, including, but not limited to 1) Housing support (rent, mortgage, utilities), 2) Food insecurity, 3) Access to health care, and 4) Other critical human services. It will support charitable organizations to both maintain their operations and services and increase their capacity to serve those impacted by COVID-19, including addressing the economic impacts on individuals and their families due to job interruption and reduction in income and benefits.

The fund may expand its scope at a later time.

Founding Funders include: Black and Veatch, Bukaty Companies, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, George K. Baum Family Foundation, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, H & R Block Foundation, Hall Family Foundation, Health Forward Foundation, J.E. Dunn Construction, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Southern, Mallouk Family Foundation, Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation, Mazuma Credit Union, Menorah Heritage Foundation, Mike and Linda Lyon, Patterson Family Foundation, REACH Healthcare Foundation, Richard and Annette Bloch Family Foundation, Sherman Family Foundation, Sosland Foundation of Kansas City, Stanley H. Durwood Foundation, Sunderland Foundation, UMB Bank, United Way of Greater Kansas City, and William T. Kemper Foundation.


Institutional funders who want to participate may contact Denise St. Omer, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, at
[email protected].


Individuals who want to donate may visit http://igfn.us/f/2pqv/n.


Nonprofits in need may contact https://gkccf.kimbia.com/covid.

Individuals in need may contact United Way 211 by dialing 211 to reach trained, caring professionals seven days a week, 24 hours a day, or visit 211kc.org.


For more information, visit the website: https://www.growyourgiving.org/covid.