TKC NOTE: This shouldn't get lost in the mix for Sunday because it's an important testimony regarding public safety from a volunteer hoping to help Kansas City.
To wit . . .
READ THE WORD OF A LOCAL VOLUNTEER RAISING SAFETY CONCERNS REGARDING KANSAS CITY MAYOR SLY'S READING PROGRAM!!!
Check it:
Issue - The Upper Room/Turn the Page KC
As you know, the Mayor has initiated his "Turn the Page KC" program to help inner-city kids read at grade level. This program has partnered with The Upper Room which is a non-profit organization that has been engaging in activities in Kansas City since 1999. I truly believe in their mission; so, I decided to volunteer for their summer reading program.
The Upper Room has activities in about 15+ churches around the East Side area. I decided to volunteer at the Morning Star church location at 27th & Wabash. Now, I was already aware that this was not the best location; since I was aware, I assumed that the coordinators and parents were aware as well. And so, I assumed that proper measures would be taken to ensure safety of property and person.
However, on my 3rd day of volunteering, as I went to my car to head home, I discovered that my catalytic converter had been stolen from my car, in broad daylight, in the church's parking lot. I immediately filed a police report and attempted to speak with the site director whom was out on a field trip.
My repair bill was over $500. I attempted to call the site director again and also the volunteer director to see if I could receive some support with the bill (as I am a college student that works part-time at basically minimum wage). And here starts the issue:
The receptionist for the site director told me that there was nothing that they could do since their own vehicles and buses had been vandalized previously. If they couldn't help themselves, how could they help me? The receptionist for the volunteer director told me that volunteers parked at their own risk and that their was nothing that they could do. He also said that crime was a fact of life in the city.
Well...
1. If they knew that this site already had previous incidents of vehicle vandalism and if volunteers parked at their own risk, why was I not warned about this ahead of time? If I had known that there was an actual safety issue with regards to property, then I could have factored that into my calculations about where to volunteer.
2. Both receptionists had a nonchalant attitude with regards to crime. Crime should NOT be considered a fact of life. There should be no complacency. We should be actively trying to eliminate it and act out against it. At the very least, we should be trying to prevent it...which brings me to my next point.
3. Crime can strike you anywhere: whether you're in the East Side or the Golden Ghetto. However, if you know for a fact that crimes have been committed on your property, why would you not take preventive measures against it? When I posed this question to the receptionist, he said that it would be unfeasible for the church to have someone guard the parking lot. I guess I don't understand why. There are plenty of people that have court-mandated community service; there are also volunteers like me.
It bothers me that these people see crime as a normal facet of life because it should never be seen as such. It also bothers me that these people have numerous children under their supervision but aren't taking the most extensive steps to ensure everyone's bodily and property safety. Since the church is one block up from Prospect with its shady corner characters, I wrongfully assumed that these variables were taken into consideration.
Three weeks later, I received a check for a little over half of my damages. I guess I should be happy about that....
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This problem goes away if the scrapyard guys are allowed to shoot anyone who comes in with a fresh-cut catalytic converter.
ReplyDeleteTypical of the animals that live in the city. Absolutely typical. Anybody out there organizing protests to help that student achieve some "justice"?
Sorry you had to put up with that bullshit for your efforts.
ReplyDeleteThis is bullshit. Some guy wants to help and all that he gets for it is a bill.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the hood ..DUH!!! You should be grateful you got shit back ..take ur lesson chick and grow up.
ReplyDeleteOr guy,same applies
ReplyDeleteClearly a Johnson Countian.
ReplyDeleteAll you have to do is read pr watch the news to figure out Sly knows noting about implementing safety anywhere.
ReplyDeleteYeah 701 because people in the hood only steal from visitors. You are hereby verified as an idiot. The place sucks cause liberal fucks and attorneys like Sly James have defending the hoods of the hoods instead of locking up the criminals.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if Travon had a daddy instead of a welfare check to raise him he'd still be alive. Bad things never happen to you when smoking dope and attacking people right?
ReplyDeleteLet sly pay for the catalytic converter..
ReplyDeleteGet all able to work blacks off the welfare rolls and let them pay for their bills. If you catch them stealing your stuff just shoot them. This way we put a stop to two things.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter volunteered at that exact location. It was selected by me and The Upper Room's coordinator because they thought it was among the safer locations. I was also assured my daughter, who is not a big person and a high school student, would be walked to her car. However, when she asked for someone to walk her to her car, no one would do it. So she asked for someone to just watch her walk to her car to see that she got there safely, but no one was "available". They were too busy sitting on their butts and talking. It ended up I drove to the location when she finished volunteering and walked her to her car. I have a CCW and I use it.
ReplyDeleteWhere do the blacks and other poor people find work.. could you be more specific.
ReplyDeleteAlso, did you get to shoot somebody that day
9:46, you're an idiot. As an responsible CCW carrier knows, possessing one is a serious responsibility, and you train to get one praying you'll never need to use it. Your comment shows your stupidity.
ReplyDeleteYou let you're teenage daughter go volunteer in a war zone and you call someone else stupid!?!?
ReplyDeleteYes, 10:21, I do. Because The Upper Room recruits from high schools around the City, as well as interns employed by the City. They reassure it's safe. If you're not very familiar with all parts of the City, a parent might unwittingly let their kid participate, especially since the opportunity came through the school.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! You are a future statistic.there's no helping you.I'll just say, good luck to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteCCW's train and pray. Holy shit we're in a lot of fucking trouble with you assholes!
ReplyDeleteGun nuts are shitty with numbers
ReplyDeleteYou people are all a bunch of idiots. I bet not one of you can tell me anything any of you or your family members volunteered to do.
ReplyDeleteI have worked with mentally ill dipshits like you for years 12:06 in an attempt to give back to the community.
ReplyDeleteSo we know you not done shit but smoke that crack pipe hanging out your mouth.
Yessir, teach a nigger to read and he/she'll kill you. Try teaching a rattlesnake to read, the same thing'll happen. Both should be killed on sight.
ReplyDeleteMy mom had tits just like that.
ReplyDelete