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 2013.
During the year 2013, 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.
Raytown Youth Court produced its first graduating class from its training program, moving the program ever closer to being fully implemented (it is fully implemented now.) Youth Court allows teens to participate in the judicial system by actually trying cases. It gives offenders a chance to be responsible for what they’ve done, while being judged by their peers. This produces a positive peer pressure.
The Raytown Police Department continued its use of online resources, including social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, to enhance communication with the public. Raytown Police have also hosted tweet-alongs, which are virtual ride-alongs, in which a Police Public Information Officer tweets updates and photos of Police activities, answers questions, and opens dialogue. The tweet-along gives an inside look at Police work.
Those online and social media resources included:
Facebook (events, photos): https://www.facebook.com/RaytownPolice
Twitter (real-time news, info): https://twitter.com/raytownpd
WordPress (press releases): http://piorpd.wordpress.com/
Blogspot (crime analysis): http://raytownpolice.blogspot.com/
Nixle (emergency alerts): http://local.nixle.com/city-of-raytown—police-department/
Raidsonline (crime mapping): http://www.raidsonline.com/
The Raytown Police Crime Analyst, Kyle Stoker, continued to provide crime mapping so that residents could be better informed of criminal trends and activity in Raytown neighborhoods and crime prevention.
Twice in 2013, 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. Between the two events, 860 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs were collected for proper disposal. The Police Department continued to provide a “Drug Take Back” receptacle in the lobby of Police Headquarters for its residents.
The Raytown Police Department hosted a National Night Out event in the summer of 2013. The event generated support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts, as well as strengthened neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.
All Crisis Negotiators assigned to the Raytown Police Department Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) received certification from the widely acclaimed International Association of Hostage Negotiators (IAHN). This certification was the result of successful completion of three phases of training that included an observed practical exercise to verify the skill level of each team member.
Director of Communications James Brafford was selected to be the Secretary of the Missouri chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International.
In cooperation with Verizon Wireless, a new radio tower was erected, which, when fully functional, will enable the Police Department to communicate with other agencies and mutual aid response teams in emergencies.
The Department hosted two Citizen’s Police Academies in 2013. Participants gained a further understanding of police work, training, equipment, and an overall better understanding of the Raytown Police Department.
One of the Department’s officers, Officer Thomas Greer, received the Raytown Police Department’s Lifesaving Award, for his efforts in clearing the airway of a choking 12 day old baby girl.
Another officer, Officer Shawn Didde, received the Raytown Police Department’s Officer of the Year Award, for his overall professionalism, and his efforts in DWI Enforcement, including making 33 DWI arrests, many of which resulted in Felony charges.
During weather emergencies in 2013, extreme temperatures or storms, in summer and winter, Department personnel checked on the well-being of those registered in the Health Emergency Assistance Registry (H.E.A.R.) The service is free to Raytown residents who qualify, including those with a disability, the elderly, or those that rely on a health device that is powered by electricity.
The year 2014 will see continued efforts by the Raytown Police Department to provide and maintain a safe community by developing strong community partnerships and serving with professionalism, trust, and integrity.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.