Raytown Chief of Police Jim Lynch has announced many successful events and achievements accomplished by the Raytown Police Department, and Department members, over the course of 2014.
During the year 2014, the Raytown Police Department continued in its efforts to enhance its service to the residents of Raytown. Events, programs, and initiatives were held to enhance communication and cooperation with our residents.
Early in 2014, Sergeant Michelle Rogers was promoted to the rank of Captain, making her the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Captain in the Department’s history. Captain Rogers has 25 years of law enforcement experience.
The Raytown Police activated the H.E.A.R. Program in March of 2014, in response to the extremely cold temperature. H.E.A.R. is the Health Emergency Assistance Registry, with the purpose of providing assistance to at-risk residents, who are registered in the program, during times of weather emergencies (including extreme temperatures, hot or cold, and storms.) The service is free to qualifying Raytown residents, which could include the disabled, elderly and frail, or those relying on a health device powered by electricity.
On the night of April 11th, 2014, the Raytown Police Department hosted a virtual ride along, or “tweet-along,” on its Twitter account, @RaytownPD. Viewers “patrolled” with one of Raytown Police’s “Night Squads.” Tweet-alongs offer an opportunity for everyone to get a glimpse into police work. Tweet-alongs are convenient alternatives for those that are unable, or do not wish, to actually ride with an officer.
Twice in 2014, the Police Department hosted Drug Take Back Days, which helped prevent pill abuse and theft by collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for proper disposal.
In April, the Raytown Police Department presented information about Financial Scams and Fraud, and how residents can better identify it. The presentation was given by Cpl. Mike Boessen, a former financial crimes investigator. The free presentation helpedattendees recognize and understand financial scams, how they work, and what people should do if they believe that they have been the victim of a financial scam.
The presentation was held at the Raytown Mid-Continent Public Library.
On May 23rd, 2014, Raytown Police Officers participated in the 2014 Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics. The 7.20 mile route began at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 50, 10032 E. 63 Street, Raytown, and ended at the Kansas City Police Department South Patrol Campus, 9701 Marion Park Drive, Kansas City, Missouri. Over the last 30 years, Missouri Law Enforcement agencies have participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), which supports Special Olympics Missouri.
On June 3rd, 2014, 20 people graduated from the Raytown Community Emergency Response Team training, and joined others to form a CERT Team in Raytown. The CERT Program teaches volunteer citizens disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact the area in which they live. The training includes basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
The Raytown Police Department hosted a National Night Out event in the summer of 2014. The event generated support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts, as well as strengthened neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. The evening was dedicated to crime prevention and awareness within the community. Theevent allow the public to get an up-close and personal look at Police Cars, Fire Trucks, Ambulances, and Public Works trucks. The event was held at Kenagy Park.
Raytown Police Sergeant Gilbert Anderson completed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Crisis Negotiation Course, held at the FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia, on September 19th, 2014. The two week, intensive, course, which included hostage, kidnapping, barricade and suicide situations, was presented by the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit. Sgt. Anderson was one of only two domestic officers invited to attend the specialized training, along with international officers and FBI Agents.
Raytown Police Sergeant Michael McDonough, now retired, and a Raytown resident, was the recipient of a 2014 Truman Heartland Community Foundation Outstanding Citizen Award at the Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s Toast To Our Towns Gala on September 6th, 2014, in Kansas City, Missouri. The Outstanding Citizen Award honored area citizens in our communities who, thanks to their service and charitable support, have made significant contributions to the places where we live and work.
Raytown Police Sergeant Michael McDonough (retired) and Detective Shawn Didde were recognized in November of 2014 at the 8th annual “Heroes for Heartland” Law Enforcement banquet, hosted by the Heartland Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, MADD. Det. Didde was recognized for his Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) enforcement work in 2013. While serving in the Uniformed Patrol Division in 2013, as a Patrol Officer, he made over 30 DWI arrests, making the roadways safer for the citizens of Raytown. Sgt. McDonough was recognized for his DWI enforcement work during his 39-year long career serving the citizens of Raytown. Sgt. McDonough served as a Sergeant of the Traffic Unit, and coordinated various traffic-safety initiatives, including sobriety checkpoints, hazardous and aggressive driving grants, and traffic-related training for his fellow officers.
The Raytown Police Department announced the launch of its new website, http://www.raytownpolice.org, in November of 2014. The new website is used to enhance communication, and create partnerships, with the citizens and businesses of Raytown. The website provides information for police and public partnering opportunities, including Citizen Police Academies and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. Career and volunteer opportunities will also be posted as they become available. The website was the result of work by a small group of Department members from different divisions and units of the Department. That small group had a vision to provide a means to quickly and easily exchange important information with Raytown citizens, then turned that vision into a website aimed at improved service. They saved Raytown taxpayers money by developing and building the website themselves, and tailoring it to fit the goals of the Department and to serve its citizens.
The Raytown Police Department is committed to providing and maintaining a safe community by developing strong community partnerships and serving with professionalism, trust, and integrity, in 2015 and beyond.
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