Kansas City Crime Scene: COVID Crime Still Spikes Amid Pandemic Backlog

Right now we share recent links on all manner of local crime, police action and hope for community justice.

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Police Tribute Tonight

Kansas City Police honor the 119 officers killed on duty throughout the history of the department

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Missouri Police Department honored its 119 officers killed in the line of duty throughout the department's history with a Memorial Service Thursday morning. The service was held at the new Law Enforcement Memorial Garden behind the Shoal Creek Patrol Division.

Plagued By Crime

COVID-19 pandemic prompts criminal-case backlog in Kansas City metro

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Prosecutors across the Kansas City metro are facing a backlog of criminal cases as they wait for in-person hearings to resume. Since COVID-19 was declared a national emergency, every state has either canceled or scaled back in-person criminal court proceedings to stop the spread of the virus.

Autos Not Immune

Local agencies attempt to quell spike in catalytic converter theft

Abby Hoover Managing Editor The theft of catalytic converters is on the rise as the prices for precious metals found inside them remain high. Law enforcement agencies across the metro, the state and the nation are struggling to find a solution to this crime, which can be costly for car owners.

Confident Crook Shares Pix

KCPD: Man used stolen ID to purchase a $58k SUV, then posed for a photo at the dealership

Detectives with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department took to a popular metro-area Facebook group Tuesday with a plea to help name an identity theft suspect.

Charges After Chase

'You are going to die': Kansas City driver in high speed chase faces assault charge

A 38-year-old Kansas City, North, man has been charged in an domestic assault leading to a high speed police chase that ended in a rollover crash in the Northland. The Clay County prosecutor has charged Paul Ryan Burns with with second-degree domestic assault, first-degree child endangerment and brandishing a handgun during an assault, according to court documents.

Tragic Homicide Postscript

Tips sought in case of Kansas City 18-year-old killed while walking home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A week after someone shot and killed 18 year-old Elijaah Boston, police released new information in the case. Detective said they think Boston was walking home from work just after 10 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5, when someone shot him.

Haxxorz Target Powerful

Power Play: Scammers target Evergy customers

Updated: THE PROBLEM KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Evergy warns customers that scammers are impersonating its workers. The power company said it's received reports of people calling customers and demanding immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. The people claim to be with the company, but Evergy said they are scammers.

Northland Good Time Busted

Clay County deputies bust joyriders accused of partying in stolen car

by: Heidi Schmidt Posted: / Updated: LIBERTY, Mo. - Clay County Sheriff's deputies say they crashed a party Wednesday afternoon. Three people were arrested after deputies said they were found driving a stolen car. The vehicle was reported stolen out of North Kansas City.

Police Find Suspect’s Calling Card

Independence police say hit-and-run suspect left ID in vehicle

INDEPENDENCE, MO (KCTV) -- The Independence Police Department seems to have a lead in a hit-and-run they're investigating after the suspect left their photo ID in the vehicle. The police department posted about the situation on Facebook and said: "Bad Guy Tip of the Day: When you do a hit and run crash and run from your car on foot, always leave your wallet with your photo ID in the car.

Show-Me New Police Tactics

Missouri Senate votes to limit police use of chokeholds

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Senate on Wednesday voted to limit when police can use chokeholds in a rare step by state lawmakers to take action in response to police violence. The bill's 31-2 bipartisan passage in the GOP-led Senate came just days before lawmakers' Friday deadline to send legislation to Republican Gov.

Kansas Meth Spikes

Meth and crime: Recent increase has Kansas law enforcement calling it a threat to the state

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) - Meth and crime, Kansas Law Enforcement officials said the two go hand in hand. The KBI is calling it a threat to our state. In Sedgwick County, Sheriff Jeff Easter said 70% of all drug crimes involve meth. "Meth is so cheap that it is the biggest abused drug here," said Easter.

Missouri Manages Addiction

Missouri House votes to legalize needle exchanges

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri House on Monday passed a bill to legalize needle-exchange programs and increase access to anti-HIV drugs. Needle-exchange programs allow drug users to trade used hypodermic needles for clean ones. The aim is to stop people from reusing dirty needles or sharing needles with others, which can spread diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV.

Sunflower State Against Sex Crimes

Kan. lawmakers make sexual extortion a crime, raise penalties for eluding police

TOPEKA - A criminal justice bill passed by the House and Senate makes sexual extortion a crime, enforces stronger penalties for attempting to elude a police officer and allows a spouse to be charged with sexual battery.

Police Almost Sideswiped

Video shows close call involving Johnson County sheriff's deputies stopped along I-35

OLATHE, Kan. - A close call for two Johnson County Sheriff's deputies. The Sheriff's office tweeted video and said the deputies were almost hit by the driver of a white car on Sunday. It happened after the deputies pulled over a driver alone Interstate 35 at 151st street.

Courthouse Seeks Justice

Kevin Strickland defense team files petition to overturn murder conviction

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kevin Strickland entered prison as a convicted triple killer 43 years ago. The legal system failed Strickland and cost him nearly his entire adult life, supporters said. But prosecutors, defense attorneys and others are now convinced Strickland was never a murderer.

Hope For Justice

Ricky Kidd cautiously optimistic that former prison mate, Kevin Strickland, could be released

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - There's a new push to release a man who Jackson County prosecutors say has been wrongfully convicted for more than 40 years. Kevin Strickland was 18 years old when he was accused of murder at a Kansas City home. He's spent the last 43 years in prison.

Hateration On The Rise

EXCLUSIVE: Part 1: 'Hate in the Homeland' growing, crimes not reported to FBI

This story is a part of Hearst Television's series "Hate in the Homeland." Our National Investigative Unit is uncovering the battle against hateful acts in America.

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