Stop for a moment and think about the city services paid for with our tax dollars. Most of us give little thought to the services our city provides that enhance the quality of our lives.

Really, when you think about it that is exactly the way it should be. When the services we need are readily available, we tend to take them for granted. Our city provides a long list of community services. Basic items include water, sewer, streets, lights, parks and police.

Recently, Wanda and I graduated from the Citizen’s Police Academy. We were participants in the “Fifth Element” class, a name the class gave ourselves to designate that we were the fifth class to complete the program. This program, conceived by Chief Wayne McCoy in response to recent citizen surveys and supported by City Administrator Eric Johnson and Mayor Carson Ross, provides each of us the opportunity to learn about our police department and the services it provides to make each of us safer. It also instructs us on ways we can help to make our police department even more effective by providing citizen support.

The classes include training on report writing, evidence collection, courtroom procedures and building search techniques. Demonstrations of the capabilities of our tactical team (STAT), K-9 officer and bike patrol are also part of the training. Participants get the opportunity to study real-life threat situations in the Fire Arms Training Simulator at Metropolitan Community College-Blue River and to receive first-hand firearms training on a live firing range. Upon completion of the coursework, participants will have completed the training to receive a concealed carry weapon permit. Additionally, each student participates in a ride-along with an officer.

I am proud to have completed the course and to live in a city that has such dedicated professionals. At our graduation, we shared our favorite memory of the classes. The common thread was a realization that our Police Department personnel love their jobs and work hard to serve our community professionally and respectfully.

If I have piqued your interest, consider attending the academy. Contact Sgt. Allen Kintz at (816) 220-4576 to have your name placed on the waiting list. There is also a new Youth Police Academy beginning on April 13 for youth ages 14 to 18. Contact Officer Doug Heishman at 228-0178 or go to www.bscpa.org for more information on this new class.

The Blue Springs Citizens Police Academy consists of a nine-week course designed to give residents an inside look at how the Police Department operates. Wanda and I are participating in the academy together this winter and have found it to be an enjoyable experience. This past weekend, I had the privilege of riding along with one of our officers and participating in a “normal” day with a Blue Springs police officer.

One consistent area of concern on our citizen surveys has been the visibility of officers in our neighborhoods. As a City Council member, I received numerous calls from constituents who wanted to know why they “never” saw our police in their neighborhood. During my ride-along, we visited many subdivisions multiple times during our shift, patrolling the streets and neighborhoods. I find it comforting to know that our police officers are actively watching out for us and are nearby when we call for help.

In addition to general patrolling and the occasional traffic ticket, we also responded to several dispatched calls: a domestic disturbance case of a woman and her soon to be ex-husband who had violated a full order of protection; a few teenagers who had broken a bench in front of a store by jumping on it with their skateboards. We reminded the juveniles of the skate parks built for such purposes, and the store owner did not choose to press charges. We listened over the scanner to a “pants on the ground” incident regarding a customer in Wal-Mart that had a problem with droopy drawers, all in a day’s work.

Finally, I had the opportunity to observe as our officers tried to serve a felony warrant to an individual wanted on multiple DWI charges. The professionalism exhibited by our officers as they approached the house and talked with the occupants was impressive and reinforced my high opinion of our police force.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is open to all residents of Blue Springs, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about our Police Department. If you have questions or want to participate in one of the classes, contact the crime prevention supervisor, Sgt. Allen Kintz, at (816) 228-0178 or akintz@bluespringsgov.com.

The City of Blue Springs is pleased to announce its newest Public Safety Communications program, Blue Springs Text-A-TIP.
About the Program
What is Text-A-TIP?

“Text-A-Tip” is a texting service that will allow citizens to anonymously send TIPs on suspected criminal activity to the Blue Springs Police Department as text messages or via the Web.  By sending anonymous crime tips, citizens are :

• Assisting with neighborhood watch,
• Engaging in crime prevention activities,
• Staying alert to suspicious or suspected criminal activity

For more information go to http://www.bluespringsgov.com/index.aspx?NID=795

News from the City of Blue Springs

CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI
POLICE DEPARTMENT

MEDIA ADVISORY

1100 SW Smith Street Blue Springs, MO 64015 |  P: 816.228.0150|  F: 816.228.0147| 
W: www.bluespringsgov.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: July 7, 2009

CONTACT: Troy Pharr, Public Information Officer

Phone: 816.228.0212, Cell: 816.935.2678

Email: tpharr@bluespringsgov.com

WARNING FRAUD ALERT

Blue Springs, Mo. - Case Number: Multiple

Subject: And the Scam continues

Who:  An Unknown Female Caller

When: Ongoing throughout the Kansas City Metro Area

Where: Throughout the Kansas City Metro Area

Yesterday morning, July 6, 2009, the Blue Springs Police Department received another report in an ongoing scam where unknown callers are attempting to steal money from Blue Springs residents. In the July 6 report the resident stated that he received a call on July 5, 2009 around 9:00 p.m. from someone stating her name was “Katrina” and that she was calling on behalf of the Blue Springs Water Department. “Katrina” told the victim that he had not paid his water bill and that he needed to send a certified check in the amount of approximately $40.00 to keep his water bill current. The victim in this incident was sharp enough to immediately identify this as a scam to steal his money. The caller stated that the City of Blue Springs no longer collects the money for the water department and now contracts with her company to collect the payments. This is just not true. When the victim started asking questions that might identify the scammer she hung up.

Beth Overstreet, supervisor of the Blue Springs Water Department, stated, “Residents should be aware that the City of Blue Springs will never call a customer and ask for banking and/or credit card information so that a water bill will be paid. Payments over the phone will only be initiated when a customer calls the Water Department and requests this transaction to be made.”

This form of criminal activity is going on throughout the greater Kansas City Metro Area.

Chief Wayne McCoy, of the Blue Springs Police Department also advised the following, “Citizens should never disclose personal information to anyone they are not personally acquainted with. If you receive a call from anyone asking for personal information, hang up the phone and contact the Police Department. Remember only you can protect what belongs to you. If you need any assistance, or have any questions at all, please contact your local Police Department. We will be glad to assist you.”

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News from the City of Blue Springs

CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI
POLICE DEPARTMENT

MEDIA ADVISORY

1100 SW Smith Street Blue Springs, MO 64015 |  P: 816.228.0150|  F: 816.228.0147| 
W: www.bluespringsgov.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: May 14, 2009

CONTACT: Officer Luis Virgil, Blue Springs Police Department

Phone: 816.228.0164

Email: lvirgil@bluespringsgov.com

8^th Annual Blue Springs Police Department Fallen Officer Memorial Service

Department honors men and women who have given their lives for the safety of all

Blue Springs, Mo. – Tomorrow, May 15 at 3:00p.m., the Blue Springs Police Department will host its 8^th Annual Fallen Officer Memorial Service, honoring those who have fallen while working in the line of duty.

The Memorial Service will take place at the Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building, 1100 SW Smith Street in Blue Springs, Missouri. The event will include the reading of names of fallen officers, a commemorative rifle salute, and will feature guest speaker Lieutenant Jim Ripley of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The event is free and open to the public.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, there are more than 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers currently serving in the United States. This is the highest figure in law enforcement history. The national agency reports that a total of 1,1671 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the past 10 years, an average of one death every 53 hours or 167 deaths per year.

Blue Springs Police Chief Wayne McCoy believes it is important to recognize the significant contribution that law enforcement officers make every day, both locally and across the nation.

He states, “The Fallen Officer Memorial Service was created to honor the officers and families of officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice. This annual event is always a moving experience that allows both members of our Department and our community, to honor the memory of these officers and reflect upon the ongoing need for dedication to public safety.”

For more information about the event, contact Officer Luis Virgil, Blue Springs Police Department, (816) 228-0164.

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Public safety is an important part of the services that a city provides. In Blue Springs we are fortunate to have a great police department whose members care deeply about the safety of our citizens. Early in my service as a council member, the mayor suggested I participate in several ride-along opportunities to learn more about how our officers serve our community.

Riding with a police officer during a shift was an eye-opening experience. When we weren’t responding to calls, we were traveling through the neighborhoods looking for anything that was out of place or might indicate a problem.

Our first call for help came relatively quickly, a domestic violence complaint. When we arrived, with the officer’s permission, I stepped out of the car and immediately heard someone call out my name. One of the witnesses happened to be a customer of mine. Imagine my surprise that I would know someone at the scene of the incident. The officer handled the situation professionally and compassionately, and we returned to patrolling the neighborhoods. I was impressed with how many neighborhoods could be covered by a single officer on a shift.

The city now has a Citizens’ Police Academy that gives each of us the opportunity to learn more about our Police Department. Experiencing how they protect us will enable our citizens to be more effective in working with our police to prevent crime. Wanda and I have signed up for the next available academy class. There is a waiting list for September; if no spots open up, we will be participating next January.

At Mayor Ross’ urging, most of our City Council members have already participated or signed up for a class. I want to compliment Council Members Reed, Shaver, Lauer and Edmondson for responding to the mayor’s call to participate in the academy, as well as the mayor and his wife. Hopefully the remainder of the council will participate soon as well. Our police deserve the active involvement of our elected leaders. The Citizens Academy is a great way to show support, improve communication and increase understanding of the department’s needs in the future.

I would encourage each of you to participate in the academy as well.  By learning more about how our police department functions and provides protection for each of us, we can help them keep our city a safe place to live, work, and raise our families!

News from the City of Blue Springs

CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI
POLICE DEPARTMENT

MEDIA ADVISORY

1100 SW Smith Street Blue Springs, MO 64015 |  P: 816.228.0150|  F: 816.228.0147| 
W: www.bluespringsgov.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: April 7, 2009

CONTACT: Detective Jeremy Dickstein

Phone: (816) 228-0261

Email: jdickstein@bluespringsgov.com

BSPD Crime Watch Alert:

Suspicious Persons/Attempted Abduction

Blue Springs, Mo. – On Saturday April 11, 2009 at approximately 1:49 p.m., 2 children stated they were approached by three African American males in a sky blue van, possibly a Ford Areostar, with heavy damage on the front driver's side of the vehicle in the area of the 500 block of Knox Place. 

The males allegedly tried to entice the two children to come to van by offering candy and asked the kids if they wanted to pet their puppy.  The older child ran for help and the van was last seen southbound on Knox Place.
Chief Wayne McCoy and investigators from the Blue Springs Police Department have asked that the public assist in locating a sky blue van described below as a vehicle of interest in a possible child enticement.  Please call the Blue Springs Police Department immediately if you have any information about this vehicle.

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CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI
POLICE DEPARTMENT

MEDIA ADVISORY

1100 SW Smith Street Blue Springs, MO 64015 |  P: 816.228.0150|  F: 816.228.0147| 
W: www.bluespringsgov.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: January 22, 2009

CONTACT: Detective Troy Pharr

Phone: 816.228.0212, Cell: 816.935.2678

Email: tpharr@bluespringsgov.com

Police Conduct Additional Underage Drinking Enforcement Actions

Department efforts focus to prevent the selling alcohol to minors under the age of 21 years old

Blue Springs, Mo - Case Number: 2008-11658, 2008-11660, and 2009-00220

In a continuing effort to help protect our children, and to enforce the underage drinking laws, the Blue Springs Police Department conducted two additional underage drinking enforcement actions.

On December 30, 2008 between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. the Blue Springs Police Department sent an underage young man into sixteen different establishments that sell alcoholic beverages. This young man was instructed to present his actual identification, and to be honest about his age if asked. Of the sixteen businesses contacted two sold alcoholic beverages to the 18 year old young man. More...