TKC BREAKING NEWS!!! KANSAS CITY PUSH BACK ON "BAN THE BOX" ORDINANCE QUESTIONS COST AND LIABILITY!!!
Thanks to the TKC BLOG COMMUNITY we're hearing back from a great many people on Councilman Jermaine Reed's "Ban The Box" Ordinance currently on the table for Kansas City.
To wit . . .
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS REGARDING KANSAS CITY COST AND LIABILITY CONFRONT THE "BAN THE BOX" EFFORT!!!
Original TKC TIPSTER "Cassius" sent a message our way and noted these concerns along with providing this scenario . . .
"If (Councilman) Jermaine Reed is going to the put the onus on the City to do more extensive background checks rather than eliminating unacceptable candidates through self-reporting then we're talking about a major cost in TIME and MONEY for City Hall. If we're relying totally on the City to make sure that former thieves aren't in charge of finance or sex offenders aren't near schools or have access to kids . . . Then we might have to hire additional employees to take over this task that KCMO can't afford to get wrong."
Additionally . . .
ONCE AGAIN WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL AND KANSAS CITY VOLUNTEER REGARDING OPPOSITION TO THE "BAN THE BOX" ORDINANCE!!!
Check it . . . This statement offers a comprehensive overview on this issue and effectively notes reasons for opposition to Councilman Reed's Ordinance:
STATEMENT ON "BAN THE BOX" FROM KANSAS CITY NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL AND GARDEN CITY, MO CHIEF THOMAS ALBER
However well intentioned, the “Ban the Box” movement fails at multiple levels. In an era of streamlining processes and cost reduction I fail to understand why we would commit manpower to interview applicants that could have been screened by simply asking the right questions upfront. All of us who have interviewed applicants for jobs know that the interview process can be time consuming and costly.
If an applicant is applying for a position where a past criminal record would not preclude them from employment then checking the box would have no bearing on weather they are interviewed or not. Simply stating “past criminal history does not preclude an applicant from employment in this position” in the job requirements and adding verbiage stating a “prior criminal conviction does not necessarily preclude you from employment” then stating the nature of the offense and date of offense should accomplish the same outcome.
In response to an earlier statement, “Show Council, Mayor James and the City that people of faith have faith in them, that they will do the right thing both for all citizens of Kansas City!" I do have Faith in Mayor James and the City. I also have faith that no attorney worth his or her weigh in salt would ever purposely open the city up to potential litigation or intentionally place citizens at risk.
With over 20 years of law enforcement experience I understand all to well the need to examine ways to reintegrate offenders and repair an inadequate system. I applaud Councilman Reed’s desire to reform the offender re-integration system. However, I do not believe that the Kansas City HR Department is not equipped and/or trained to make these necessary determinations.
Please contact your City Council member and let them know what you think about the “Ban the Box” Legislation.
Respectfully,
Thomas R. Alber
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