The Kansas City, Kan., Police Department announced this evening, anticipating an announcement in the Ferguson, Mo., case at 8 p.m. tonight, that it was prepared in the event a response was needed to insure the safety of Kansas City, Kan., residents, visitors and businesses.
The KCK Police Department statement tonight:
“In the past few months, since the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department has stepped up its efforts to insure that our relationship with our citizens remains solid. We have participated in countless community meetings, forums and rallies. Your voices rang loud and clear, and we hear you.
With the ruling by the Ferguson Grand Jury, no matter the side of the issue you are on, we want to reassure our community partners that the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department values our relationship and the positive strides we’ve made together. We also want to thank our community in advance; for preserving the peace during these times of indifference and not subjecting our community to the disorder other communities may experience.
If you hear of any potential issues or concerns, please share those with us. We are prepared, in the event KCKPD response is needed, to insure the safety of Kansas City, Kansas citizens, visitors and businesses. Regardless the decision, we must continue to work together for a better KCK.”
Some local clergy, including Mayor Mark Holland, have been praying about the decision.
In a Facebook post, Mayor Mark Holland stated on Nov. 21:
“I recently met with a broad coalition of local clergy following the annual Wyandotte County Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast. While the focus of the meeting was on the collective role of the faith community in advancing our great city, we also discussed the upcoming verdict to be delivered in the Ferguson, Mo., case involving the death of Michael Brown. Similar to neighborhood groups, business advocacy groups, and other similar organizations, I look to this group’s collective interests, talents, and perspectives to serve as one of many sources of guidance and resolve during challenging times. Earlier today I sent a note out to my ministerial colleagues that I thought some of you might be interested in reading:
“I am writing today in advance of the anticipated announcement by the Ferguson, Mo., grand jury. Please reach out to your congregation and neighborhoods to invite them to be in an attitude of prayer. Regardless of the outcome of the grand jury, we know well that all of our communities have a responsibility to safeguard our citizens and public safety personnel during times of crisis. The loss of any life is a tragedy that should bring us together for the common good, not divide us further. I believe the turmoil in Ferguson is an expression of division and mistrust that predates the recent shooting by several decades.
“We know there are painful divisions yet in our own great city. I implore faith leaders to pray how we can both heal wounds and lead our community to the kind of future of which we can all be proud. It is the clergy’s unique role to proclaim Good News even as brokenness scrolls across our television screens. I believe our commitment to gather regularly as faith leaders is a significant step in the right direction for Wyandotte County.
“Please pray for both peace and justice in Ferguson, Mo., and beyond. Thank you for what you do each and every day.”