Kansas City Crime Scene: Police 'Local Control' Anti-Climax Cometh

As we noted earlier this week . . .

Amendment 4 already looks like a dramatic victory for police supporters & might even win in Kansas City proper.

Sadly, the consequences of that vote might not settle much for so many locals who don't have a very nuanced understanding of local law enforcement issues. 

Accordingly, we offer another roundup to more local crime news, court cases, police action and alleged misdeeds that offers more perspective on the highly politicized nature of the current debate . . .

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Missouri's Amendment 4 boils down to one core question: Who should control KCPD?

The ballot measure would give the legislature the power to order Kansas City to increase the police budget. Supporters say the amendment gives needed funding to a city with growing crime rates. Critics argue it gives the state legislature control over decisions that belong to residents.

The battle for local control over Kansas City's police force is on the November ballot

The battle over local control of the Kansas City, Missouri, police budget is on the November state ballot.Voters throughout Missouri will decide if amendment 4 should change the state's constitution.State senator tony Luetkemeyer is running for re-election.He wants people to vote yes on amendment 4."A vote yes on amendment four is a vote for our law enforcement officers.

Man who allegedly shot at Independence police officer charged in incident

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A man who allegedly shot at an Independence police officer at a gas station early Thursday morning has been charged in the incident. Ryland E. Polson, 30, was charged with first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

Woman says Kansas City officers used excessive force; KCPD investigating

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City woman said her late-night walk turned brutal when she was attacked by a Kansas City, Missouri, police officer. "I thought I was going to die, honestly," Vera Lenley said. Lenley said she went on a walk on Oct.

Man who was shot by Independence police officer early Thursday now charged with felonies

A man who was shot and wounded during an exchange of gunfire with an Independence police officer during a confrontation near a gas station early Thursday has been charged with shooting at the officer.Ryland E.

Johnson County man sentenced to life in prison after murdering his wife in 2018

KANSAS CITY, MO. - A man who killed his wife was sentenced by a Johnson County judge Thursday to life in prison without chance of parole. A jury convicted Robert Lee Harris, 35, of first degree premeditated murder on Aug. 19, 2022 in the death of Tanisha Harris, according to a news release from the Johnson County District Attorney's Office.

New group to investigate deadly use-of-force incidents for 4 jurisdictions in Jackson County

There's a new cooperative effort among four police departments in Jackson County to investigate each agency's deadly use-of-force incidents.The East Jackson County Police Involved Incident Team, or PIIT, is comprised of detectives from the Independence, Grandview, Blue Springs, and Lee's Summit police departments.PIIT is working on its first case after an Independence police officer shot a suspect early Thursday after investigators said that suspect pointed a gun at the officer.

Caldwell County man charged with 9 counts of child molestation, 3 counts of sexual abuse

CALDWELL COUNTY, MO. (KCTV) - Damion Micah Bergan, 34, has been charged with nine counts of child molestation and three counts of sexual abuse. Bergen was arrested Wednesday in Clinton County, Mo., following a standoff in Lathrop. He had an active felony no bond warrant out of Caldwell County.

JOCO sheriff's office asks for help finding 2 runaway teens

makenzie goodall, genesis shead SOURCE: KMBC The Johnson County, Kansas, Sheriff's Office is asking for help in finding two teenage runaways.Authorities said 14-year-old Makenzie Goodall (pictured, left) and 16-year-old Genesis Shead ran away from their home in Edgerton, Kansas, early Thursday.The sheriff's office said they were last seen driving a gold 2016 Chrysler Town and Country minivan in the Kansas City, Kansas, area at 1 p.m.

Myana Henderson's family feels relief after charges announced against her alleged killer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Myana Henderson was 21 years old when she was shot and killed at a Kansas City, Missouri, convenience store parking lot in August. Now nearly three months later, her family says they are relieved charges have been filed against her alleged killer.

What are some Missouri death row inmates' final meal requests?

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It's been just over a year since Julie Green, an artist known for painting final meal requests of death row inmates on ceramic plates, died at the age of 60. Green is known for their project, "The Last Supper," currently displayed at the Bellevue Arts Museum in Washington, totaling 1,000 plates.

Developing . . .