KC crime last year drops by biggest percentage since 2003
By CHRISTINE VENDEL
The Kansas City Star
Reported crime in Kansas City dropped 5 percent last year, the biggest percentage decline since 2003, according to statistics released Tuesday.
"That's pretty good," Deputy Chief Rachel Whipple told police board members. "This is yet another decline."
In 2003, crime dropped 7 percent.
Broken down by category:
*Reported violent crime fell 3 percent.
*Property crimes fell 6 percent.
Those crimes also dropped across the country last year, but in smaller percentages than in Kansas City, according to preliminary data collected by the FBI. The national figures for the first six months of 2007 showed a 1.8 percent decline in violent crime and 2.6 percent drop in property crime.
In Kansas City, robbery was one of the few crimes that saw an increase - a 5 percent uptick.
The Central and Metro patrol divisions recorded the largest increase in robberies, but police noticed no particular patterns responsible.
Though overall violent crime and homicides declined in 2007, drive-by shootings rose for the fifth year in a row. The city recorded 205 last year, a 51 percent increase from 2006. The shootings killed 16 people last year and injured 134.
To reach Christine Vendel, call 816-234-4438 or send e-mail to cvendel@kcstar.com
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Rain Barrel & Rain Garden information
Are you interested in rain barrels or rain gardens?
What is a rain barrel? What is a rain garden?
To learn more, click on the links below.
More information about Rain barrels:
http://www.rainkc.com/home/index.asp
http://bridgingthegap.org/egap.php?id=133
General Costs of a Rain Barrel: (Found on website of Little Blue River Watershed Coalition http://www.littleblueriverwc.org)
• Blank Barrel--$20
• Barrel with top cut off and holes drilled for faucet and overflow--$40
• Barrel assembled--$75
• Barrel assembled and installed--$125
• Artistic rain barrels---$100-$125
Places to purchase a Rain Barrel:
http://www.rainkc.com/GARDENS/PURCHASE.ASP
Check Habitat for Humanity's ReStore (http://www.restorekc.org/) for 55-gallon, food-grade barrels that may be converted into rain barrels.
How to build your own Rain barrel:
http://www.marc.org/Environment/Water/buildrainbarrel.htm
Rain Garden information:
http://www.rainkc.com/GARDENS/INDEX.ASP
Local supplier for native flowers for a your Rain Garden:
Soil Service Garden Center
7130 Troost Ave Kansas City, MO 64131-1714
Phone: (816) 444-3403
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Purpose of a Rain Barrel
Using rainwater will improve the condition of your garden or yard and is regularly available for free. The roofs of many houses in the Kansas City area receive 600 to 1,000 gallons of water with just an inch of rainfall. This rainwater hits the roof, flows to the gutters, and pours out of your downspouts into the driveway or yard. With an average of 37” of rainfall per year, tens of thousands of gallons of water could be harvested and used on your garden or lawn, reducing flooding of some rivers and water passages such as the Blue River and Brush Creek. Bridging The Gap offers workshops on how to make a simple rain barrel and harvest some of that water that is so good for your flowers and lawn.
Benefits of Rain Water Harvesting
• Brings first-rate water right to your garden. No chlorine, no calcium carbonate.
• Diverts water away from your house that might otherwise leak into the foundation and potentially case flooding.
• Cuts down on your city water consumption
• Demonstrates water conservation to neighbors, family, and friends.
• Keeps water right where it’s getting used, rather than sending it away to unnecessary treatment.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Why do rain gardens matter?
The biggest cause of pollution in rivers (the source of our drinking water) is non-point source pollution. That's runoff from streets and lawns that carry pesticides, fertilizers, and oil from the storm drains to the streams. Every drop of rain that you keep on your property helps to keep our drinking water less polluted. Every drop matters. Every drop counts.
What is a rain barrel? What is a rain garden?
To learn more, click on the links below.
More information about Rain barrels:
http://www.rainkc.com/home/index.asp
http://bridgingthegap.org/egap.php?id=133
General Costs of a Rain Barrel: (Found on website of Little Blue River Watershed Coalition http://www.littleblueriverwc.org)
• Blank Barrel--$20
• Barrel with top cut off and holes drilled for faucet and overflow--$40
• Barrel assembled--$75
• Barrel assembled and installed--$125
• Artistic rain barrels---$100-$125
Places to purchase a Rain Barrel:
http://www.rainkc.com/GARDENS/PURCHASE.ASP
Check Habitat for Humanity's ReStore (http://www.restorekc.org/) for 55-gallon, food-grade barrels that may be converted into rain barrels.
How to build your own Rain barrel:
http://www.marc.org/Environment/Water/buildrainbarrel.htm
Rain Garden information:
http://www.rainkc.com/GARDENS/INDEX.ASP
Local supplier for native flowers for a your Rain Garden:
Soil Service Garden Center
7130 Troost Ave Kansas City, MO 64131-1714
Phone: (816) 444-3403
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Purpose of a Rain Barrel
Using rainwater will improve the condition of your garden or yard and is regularly available for free. The roofs of many houses in the Kansas City area receive 600 to 1,000 gallons of water with just an inch of rainfall. This rainwater hits the roof, flows to the gutters, and pours out of your downspouts into the driveway or yard. With an average of 37” of rainfall per year, tens of thousands of gallons of water could be harvested and used on your garden or lawn, reducing flooding of some rivers and water passages such as the Blue River and Brush Creek. Bridging The Gap offers workshops on how to make a simple rain barrel and harvest some of that water that is so good for your flowers and lawn.
Benefits of Rain Water Harvesting
• Brings first-rate water right to your garden. No chlorine, no calcium carbonate.
• Diverts water away from your house that might otherwise leak into the foundation and potentially case flooding.
• Cuts down on your city water consumption
• Demonstrates water conservation to neighbors, family, and friends.
• Keeps water right where it’s getting used, rather than sending it away to unnecessary treatment.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Why do rain gardens matter?
The biggest cause of pollution in rivers (the source of our drinking water) is non-point source pollution. That's runoff from streets and lawns that carry pesticides, fertilizers, and oil from the storm drains to the streams. Every drop of rain that you keep on your property helps to keep our drinking water less polluted. Every drop matters. Every drop counts.
Mayor announces February town hall meeting schedule
Mayor announces February town hall meeting schedule
Mayor Mark Funkhouser will hold two town hall meetings in February. The hour-long town hall meetings begin with a 15-minute introductory address followed by 45 minutes of questions and comments from the audience.
Wednesday, February 20 at 6 p.m.
Revolution Church
500 W. 40th Street
Host: Westport Regional Business League
If you are interested in hosting a Town Hall Meeting, please contact Crispin Rea in the Mayor's office: 816-513-3503, or crispin_rea@kcmo.org.
Mayor Mark Funkhouser will hold two town hall meetings in February. The hour-long town hall meetings begin with a 15-minute introductory address followed by 45 minutes of questions and comments from the audience.
Wednesday, February 20 at 6 p.m.
Revolution Church
500 W. 40th Street
Host: Westport Regional Business League
If you are interested in hosting a Town Hall Meeting, please contact Crispin Rea in the Mayor's office: 816-513-3503, or crispin_rea@kcmo.org.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
City Crews Preparing For Ice / Snowstorm
City of Kansas City, Mo., crews assigned to arterial, primary and residential streets are making preparations in anticipation of ice and snow expected to affect the Kansas City area starting this afternoon. Crews assigned to arterial and primary streets will be in position to begin plowing operations when snow and sleet begins. The City's Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Water Services departments will work to remove snow and ice from approximately 900 miles of primary and arterial routes and maintain a passable driving lane on more than 1,500 miles of residential routes. The City's Snow and Ice Plan calls for keeping primary and arterial streets open for traffic. On primary and arterial streets, crews plow curb-to-curb and work around the clock to remove snow and apply salt. On residential streets, the plan calls for providing a passable lane. Crews assigned to residential streets apply salt on intersections, hills and slick areas. Phase I of a winter storm watch will be issued when streets are slick. During this time, drivers who do not have snow tires on their cars will be ticketed if they get stuck on a major thoroughfare. In Phase II of a winter storm, cars parked on designated snow routes will be ticketed two hours after the phase is implemented. Residents may call the 3-1-1 Action Center at 311 or the Missouri Department of Transportation at (816) 622-6500 for assistance. Requests for removal of tree limbs from the rights-of-way should be directed to the 3-1-1 Action Center. Media inquiries about ice and snow removal should be directed to Dennis Gagnon, public information officer for the Public Works Department, (816) 513-2659.
News from City Hall
City of Kansas City, Mo.
www.kcmo.org
CONTACT: Mary Charles,
City Communications Officer
News from City Hall
City of Kansas City, Mo.
www.kcmo.org
CONTACT: Mary Charles,
City Communications Officer
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Paint Program offered by KCMO
The City's Paint Program helps eligible Kansas City, Mo., residents obtain house paint and supplies for the homes in which they reside.
The Paint Program is open to residents who meet the income guidelines listed online please see the Eligibility Guidelines. Applicants must complete a Paint Program application.
For more information about the Paint Program or for assistance completing the application, call (816) 784-4038 or visit online.
If you do not have a printer, request an application be mailed to you.
The Paint Program is open to residents who meet the income guidelines listed online please see the Eligibility Guidelines. Applicants must complete a Paint Program application.
For more information about the Paint Program or for assistance completing the application, call (816) 784-4038 or visit online.
If you do not have a printer, request an application be mailed to you.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Scholarships for youth.
Youth Advocacy Office announces scholarship for low-income residents
The City of Kansas City, Mo., Youth Advocacy Office, a division of the City Manager’s Office, will help administer a 10-year scholarship grant program funded by The Port Authority of Kansas City, Mo., and area casino gaming operators.
The scholarship will serve city residents living in households that have a total annual income of 80 percent or less of the median income of city households.
Scholarship applicants also must be between 17-25 years old, pursuing educational opportunities at an accredited or certified college, university and vocational/technical school and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
The scholarships will provide a minimum of $1,000 per academic year and can be used for tuition, books, room and board and activity fees.
Scholarship applications, along with a high school transcript or GED certificate, a 300-word essay, a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, employer or clergy member and the most recent IRS tax forms of all members of the household are due by May 1 of each year.
Scholarships are renewable if recipients remain full-time students, stay in good academic standing with the institution attending and continue to live in a household that has a total annual income 80 percent of less of median income of the city, defined as:
Persons per household
One – less than $28,294
Two – less than $36,274
Three – less than $44,255
Four – less than $56,951
Five – less than $67,470
Six – less than $76,176
Seven – less than $85,970
Eight - $95,765
Nine or more – less than $114,627
For more information, visit http://www.kcmo.org/youth or contact Thalia Cherry, youth advocate for the City Manager’s Office at (816) 513-1378.
The City of Kansas City, Mo., Youth Advocacy Office, a division of the City Manager’s Office, will help administer a 10-year scholarship grant program funded by The Port Authority of Kansas City, Mo., and area casino gaming operators.
The scholarship will serve city residents living in households that have a total annual income of 80 percent or less of the median income of city households.
Scholarship applicants also must be between 17-25 years old, pursuing educational opportunities at an accredited or certified college, university and vocational/technical school and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
The scholarships will provide a minimum of $1,000 per academic year and can be used for tuition, books, room and board and activity fees.
Scholarship applications, along with a high school transcript or GED certificate, a 300-word essay, a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, employer or clergy member and the most recent IRS tax forms of all members of the household are due by May 1 of each year.
Scholarships are renewable if recipients remain full-time students, stay in good academic standing with the institution attending and continue to live in a household that has a total annual income 80 percent of less of median income of the city, defined as:
Persons per household
One – less than $28,294
Two – less than $36,274
Three – less than $44,255
Four – less than $56,951
Five – less than $67,470
Six – less than $76,176
Seven – less than $85,970
Eight - $95,765
Nine or more – less than $114,627
For more information, visit http://www.kcmo.org/youth or contact Thalia Cherry, youth advocate for the City Manager’s Office at (816) 513-1378.
Storm-related brush pick
City offers storm-related brush pick up by appointment
Reservations must be made between Feb. 2 and Feb. 10
The City of Kansas City, Mo., Public Works Department is conducting a special, by-appointment brush collection during the month of February. The collection is intended to assist residents with downed limbs that have accumulated from a series of recent winter storms.
City residents can schedule an appointment from Feb. 2 to Feb. 10 by calling the 3-1-1 Action Center, a division of the City Manager's Office, at (816) 513-1313 or 3-1-1 during business hours.
The 3-1-1 Action Center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Once scheduled, the collections will run from Feb. 11-29.
Any service-related questions should be directed to the 3-1-1 Action Center within 24 hours of the scheduled collection date.
For more information about this special collection or regular trash, recycling and solid waste collection, visit http://www.kcmo.org/trash or call the 3-1-1 Action Center.
Media inquiries about trash, recycling and solid waste services should be directed to Dennis Gagnon, public information officer for the Public Works Department, (816) 513-2659.
Reservations must be made between Feb. 2 and Feb. 10
The City of Kansas City, Mo., Public Works Department is conducting a special, by-appointment brush collection during the month of February. The collection is intended to assist residents with downed limbs that have accumulated from a series of recent winter storms.
City residents can schedule an appointment from Feb. 2 to Feb. 10 by calling the 3-1-1 Action Center, a division of the City Manager's Office, at (816) 513-1313 or 3-1-1 during business hours.
The 3-1-1 Action Center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Once scheduled, the collections will run from Feb. 11-29.
Any service-related questions should be directed to the 3-1-1 Action Center within 24 hours of the scheduled collection date.
For more information about this special collection or regular trash, recycling and solid waste collection, visit http://www.kcmo.org/trash or call the 3-1-1 Action Center.
Media inquiries about trash, recycling and solid waste services should be directed to Dennis Gagnon, public information officer for the Public Works Department, (816) 513-2659.
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