TKC EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!!! TALKING WITH GARDEN CITY, MO CHIEF THOMAS ALBER ABOUT INCREASING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN POLICE WORK!!!
The political elite in Kansas City, MO have started to take notice of a law enforcement official in a nearby town who has been exceptionally busy this year.
Accordingly . . .
GARDEN CITY, MO POLICE CHIEF THOMAS R. ALBER HAS BEEN MAKING A GREAT DEAL OF PROGRESS ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS IN HIS COMMUNITY TO BECOME ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN COMMUNITY POLICING AND HIS EFFORTS HAVE RESONATED IN KCMO!!!
Let's take a quick look at Chief Alber's accomplishments and activities throughout the year. Check it:
This year Chief Alber has been appointed to the Kansas City Neighborhood Advisory Council.
He started the year with a noteworthy appointment to the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
Chief Alber has been instrumental in bringing the International Crime-Free Association Conference back to Kansas City in 2014,
Also this year Chief Alber notes ongoing progress from the Garden City Police Volunteers In Police Services (VIPS) which has increased activity and added members.
And best of all . . .
CHIEF ALBER IS ONE OF THE ONLY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DUDES TO EARN AN ACTION FIGURE WITH KUNG-FU GRIP!!!
On the topic of the upcoming International Crime Free Conference, Chief Alber seemed exceptionally excited.
"The conference is really a great opportunity to bring important resources and training to Kansas City," Chief Alber said. "It has been a great success in helping to make rental property safer and encouraging landlords and tenants to participate and cooperate with each other in order to create a safe community."
From the website:
"The Crime Free Programs consist of three-phases that are completed under the supervision of local law enforcement. The cornerstone of the Crime Free Programs is the partnership between law enforcement and the community working together to prevent crime. Law enforcement coordinators are certified trainers of the Crime Free programs and will provide the initial program training and property survey. Property owners and managers make the commitment to learn and apply the Crime Free Programs to help keep illegal activity off their rental property. This combination of resources has proven to be be successful in fighting crime."
Even closer to the Chief's heart seems to be the work he has done in Garden City to mobilize residents. The Garden City Police Volunteers In Police Services (VIPS) is a community policing effort Chief Alber touts.
"What we did is simple: We took the people who were complaining the most and offered them an opportunity to participate in a solution," the Chief explained. "What I've discovered is that in working with the community and engaging residents, there have been a number of creative solutions to crime and neighborhood issues that have arisen on their own."
The Chief advises that his VIPS program hasn't just helped with law enforcement but also worked to create several volunteer opportunities. Of note to TKC Readers, Chief Alber emphasizes:
"Yes, I'm absolutely convinced that Kansas City, MO could make a program like this work, by encouraging even greater community participation among the most engaged residents."
The Chief notes that the strength of his VIPS program is that it doesn't have to be implemented on a city-wide scale and could start in any local patrol division.
To that end, Chief Alber has been talked quite a bit to Mayor Sly James and Chief Forte to start a Volunteers in Police Service Program for KCPD.
"Every chance I get to talk with the Mayor or Forté, I'm pushing this program and hoping the KCMO will look at the success we've had in my community."
So, expect to see more of Chief Alber in Kansas City as we start a new year hoping to try something new to curb crime in Kansas City, MO.