Today on his blog, KCPD Chief Corwin explains (what should be) a controversial effort to limit the movements of Kansas City residents in coordination with local courts:
"Assistant City Prosecutor Todd Wilcher worked with us, municipal judges and the managers of several large, multi-unit, residential properties on Armour to create the Armour Boulevard Restriction Zone. It basically works like this: whenever anyone is cited with a city ordinance violation in this zone, Mr. Wilcher is notified. When the case is prosecuted, if the judge determines the offense is serious enough, the usual recommended sentence is two years’ probation. One of the defendant’s conditions of the probation is to stay out of the Armour Boulevard Restriction Zone. If they are seen there during the term of their probation, Wilcher will file a motion to revoke the probation, and they will go to jail for up 180 days."
I realize that so many people are cool with this because it only takes aim at people who are facing "a City Ordinance Violation."
However, in the era of mass incarceration what troubles me is that:
ACCORDING TO THIS RESTRICTION SOMEBODY COULD VIOLATE THEIR PAROLE AND GO BACK TO JAIL FOR SIMPLY WALKING ON THE STREET!!!
Again, most people usually support whatever draconian measure possible against people who have been in trouble with the law . . . The possibility of locking folks up for walking on the street takes things to a new level.
"Assistant City Prosecutor Todd Wilcher worked with us, municipal judges and the managers of several large, multi-unit, residential properties on Armour to create the Armour Boulevard Restriction Zone. It basically works like this: whenever anyone is cited with a city ordinance violation in this zone, Mr. Wilcher is notified. When the case is prosecuted, if the judge determines the offense is serious enough, the usual recommended sentence is two years’ probation. One of the defendant’s conditions of the probation is to stay out of the Armour Boulevard Restriction Zone. If they are seen there during the term of their probation, Wilcher will file a motion to revoke the probation, and they will go to jail for up 180 days."
I realize that so many people are cool with this because it only takes aim at people who are facing "a City Ordinance Violation."
However, in the era of mass incarceration what troubles me is that:
ACCORDING TO THIS RESTRICTION SOMEBODY COULD VIOLATE THEIR PAROLE AND GO BACK TO JAIL FOR SIMPLY WALKING ON THE STREET!!!
Again, most people usually support whatever draconian measure possible against people who have been in trouble with the law . . . The possibility of locking folks up for walking on the street takes things to a new level.
Well, if city hall is going to ignore the problems created by the city's lack of a detailed low-cost housing plan don't blame the police for trying to make the best of a bad situation. City hall has the ability to fix it but continue to do nothing.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, 4:48. The extreme concentration of low-income housing on Armour has created a huge crime problem that the police are left to deal with. I applaud them and the prosecutor for doing what they can to make Hyde Park livable again.
ReplyDeleteShut up Brent. This will only send more Black men to jail.
ReplyDeleteOnly ones convicted of serious crimes that don't want to follow the rules put on them by a judge.
ReplyDeleteThis will never fly.
ReplyDeleteI just creamed my dockers.
ReplyDeletea convicted/paroled sexual predator can be arrested for walking by a school, what's the difference?
ReplyDeleteWow, the white liberals who reside in ultra liberal Hyde Park sure have a facer.. Will they support this Arizona style law or reject it? Shit... now the wild border is in their backyard.
ReplyDeleteThis is becoming the INTOLERANT NATION. We are witnessing a trend that people are willing to give up their freedom for safety.
ReplyDeleteVery bad idea. Support your ACLU! Freedom cannot protect itself!
http://sites.google.com/site/radiomankc/Home/govt-and-rights
Who is in leadership on the housing committee??? Oh yeah...SSB she is probably picking up change down at the P&L District instead of addressing the issues with low income housing.
ReplyDeleteThere were over 900 calls for police in one year in that strech of Armour in one year. Something different needs to be done for urban revitalization.Quit making excuses. Go kcpd.
ReplyDeleteThank god someone is finally doing something to clean up armour. What was once a really neat corridor is now a human wasteland.
ReplyDeleteI vote for unmanned drones with missiles.
ReplyDelete... And our next sales tax for the po-lice must include personnel carrying vehicles for the neighborhood residents. Plenty of room inside for their side arms and lattes.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Hyde Park! You're using your powerful connections within KCPD to "clean up" your neighborhood. In the not too distant future, Armour will once again be a lovely street populated by mostly classy, hip white people. The wretched poor brown and black people who used to live there will be an unpleasant, distant memory.
ReplyDelete