Kansas City Missouri Police

Kansas City lauded its new “collaborative public safety” model for breaking the lease of a downtown convenience store, which attracted 184 police calls over two years. But Downtown Market, at 11th Street and Grand Boulevard, is still open.

The Kansas City Police Department got money from the city and the police foundation to grow its fleet of drones and expand its use of an AI information-sharing software. This and similar technology is used in departments across the country as part of a “drones as first responders” program.

Two men were killed and another two people were shot over the weekend in a lot near the Power & Light District owned by Copaken Brooks, a commercial real estate firm. Mayor Quinton Lucas said Monday that private lot owners should be required to have $1 million insurance policies, security and surveillance cameras.

Braisen Cain, 42, is the city’s 18th victim of intimate partner violence so far this year, a significant increase from last year. Experts say cases are growing more violent, with survivors reporting an escalation of threats like use of guns and strangulation.

Police say they face the “unprecedented challenge” of planning for the largest event the department has ever seen, with Kansas City hosting hundreds of thousands of young, potentially rowdy fans during a hot summer with 23-hour-a-day liquor sales.

With the Missouri governor's appointment of Heather Hall, a former Kansas City councilwoman from the Northland, the state-run Board of Police Commissioners lacks any appointees from east of Troost Avenue. Residents and activists worry about accountability.

The Kansas City Police Department pays out settlements for crashes for which it takes responsibility. A 10-month KCUR investigation uncovered how often Kansas City police wreck their vehicles — and the cost to taxpayers.

After yet another violent weekend, city leaders and community activists gathered at 35th Street and Prospect Avenue at the behest of neighbors who say they are sick of the constant crime. Mayor Quinton Lucas said he will close businesses that don’t comply with anti-violence efforts.

The lawsuit filed on behalf of two longtime police reform advocates says the takeover violates a ban on special laws and amounts to an unfunded mandate. Multiple lawsuits have previously challenged Missouri's control of Kansas City Police.

During a public budget hearing, Kansas City Police budget officials told city council that $3.5 million would be enough to cover legal expenses. Two months later, the board announced $18.1 million in lawsuit settlements — a surprise to city officials, who don't have any control over the department.

Prosecutor Melesa Johnson’s office is supporting a state bill that would add animal control officers to the list of those who must report any suspected child or elder abuse. Animal abuse is seen as a “predictor crime” for potential violence toward people.

A surveillance video of Brady being shot point-blank in the parking lot of his Brookside restaurant last year was shown at a juvenile court hearing Tuesday. Brady’s family was watching via webcam from Ireland, and his wife sat in the last row of the courtroom.