The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department has announced changes in the reporting of non-emergency calls for service.
According to a news release found on the department’s social media website, the changes are an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduce exposure to first responders.
Starting today, March 14, and until further notice, the Police Department is asking individuals involved in non-injury accidents and non-emergency calls for service to either call in information to a report desk officer at 913-573-8680, to its non-emergency number at 913-596-3000, or to walk it in to the closest police station, according to the news release.
This process is similar to one used routinely during inclement weather when accidents are at a high volume, according to the spokesman.
The hours of the stations are police headquarters, 700 Minnesota Ave., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; Midtown Patrol, 849 N. 47th St. (Indian Springs site), 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week; and South Patrol, 2200 Metropolitan Ave., 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
To accommodate reporting, the Midtown and South patrol stations will be open for reporting seven days a week and for extended hours, the spokesman stated.
A non-emergency call is a request for the response of emergency personnel for a situation that is not life-threatening, according to the spokesman. Examples of the most common non-emergency calls are vandalism, disturbing the peace and theft.
Emergency calls, those which involve an immediate threat to a person or property such as gunshot, injury accidents, sexual assaults, armed robbery, fire, medical emergencies and any felony should continue to be reported by dialing 911, the spokesman stated.
The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department continues to work with the Wyandotte County Health Department and the Unified Government in a coordinated effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, according to the spokesman. It is a rapidly changing situation, which means that residents should expect there could be additional changes in the days and weeks to come, the spokesman stated. The police department maintains Facebook and Twitter accounts, and its website is at www.kckpd.org.