Man Charged After Stabbing Grandson

Press Release

For Release:  10-03-2017

Prepared By: Capt. Dyon Harper

 Man Charged After Stabbing Grandson

Raytown, MO – Jose D. Ortega, a 67-year-old Raytown man, has been charged with the stabbing of his 12-year-old grandson earlier this morning, 10-03-17. The incident occurred at a residence in the 8000 block of Hunter.

When police arrived at the scene, they found that a 12-year-old boy had been stabbed by Ortega. Ortega left the scene by the time police arrived, but later returned and was taken into custody without incident. The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

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Ortega Mug Photo

 

 

 

Raytown Police Department to host Coffee with a Cop on October 4, 2017

Contact:

Cheri Hennig

(816) 737-6018

hennigc@raytownpolice.org

 

September 28,2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Raytown Police Department to host Coffee with a Cop on October 4, 2017

Program offers opportunity to meet local officers, discuss community issues

Raytown, MO—On October 4, 2017, officers from the Raytown Police Department and community members will come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee.

All community members are invited to attend. The event begins at 9am – 11 am on 10/04/17  at Raytown HyVee, 9400 E. 350 Hwy. Please contact Community Services Unit Coordinator Cheri Hennig with questions: (816) 737-6018, hennigc@raytownpolice.org.

 Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Raytown’s neighborhoods.

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies, or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

“We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know our officers,” said Police Chief, Jim Lynch. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the county, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

Open Letter From Chief Lynch-Budget Reduction Results

September 25, 2017

Dear Residents of Raytown:

 Earlier this month, I learned that the upcoming budget of the Police Department will be cut by just over 3 million dollars. 85% of our annual budget is made up of personnel costs, including jail staff, dispatchers, detectives, police officers, and so on. We knew that such a significant budget reduction would equate to drastic reductions to staffing and substantial impacts to public safety service. At that time, I asked for patience as we determined just what that meant to our staffing levels and the service that we strive to provide to our community. I hold a great deal of responsibility to the people of Raytown, even when it involves bad news. It was important to inform everyone that may be impacted then, and it is even more important now.

My staff and I have poured over every possible option to maintain basic law enforcement service within the budget constraints.

In order to meet the budget mandate of the upcoming budget period, effective November 1, 2017, the following 30 positions will have to be eliminated:

17 Full-time sworn police officers of various assignments (brings the number of sworn officers from 56 to 39)

10 Full-time civilian personnel (brings the number of civilian personnel from 21 to 11)

3 Part-time civilian personnel (brings the number of part-time civilian personnel from 3 to 0)

Our total authorized (full-time) staffing will be reduced from 77 to 50. The elimination of those positions will result in the reduction of police service, including:

• Elimination of all civilian jail personnel
• Elimination of all Community Services activities (Annual Safety Fair, Coffee with a Cop, Copcicles for kids, etc.)
• Reduction of the number of Detectives

Last week, those cuts to staff, and the resulting service reduction, were presented to the finance committee, which included the City Administrator and four Aldermen. I requested a smaller cut to the budget, a compromise, to be able to maintain service levels. At the time of posting this letter, the Board’s budget reduction mandate has not changed.

Today, I spoke with my staff, including the individual members whose position will be eliminated. Each one of them is trained and experienced and has served with honor, integrity and professionalism. I am proud of each and every one of them. Their absence will be felt by everyone.

Our mission at the Raytown Police Department has always been to provide a safe community for the people that live and work in Raytown, and I am proud to work, and to have worked, with our dedicated men and women that do so.

Sincerely,

Chief Jim Lynch

 

Police Correct Misleading Staffing Information

Press Release

For Release: 09-01-17

Prepared By: Capt. Dyon Harper

Police Correct Misleading Staffing Information

Raytown, MO – Tonight, the Raytown Police is releasing organizational data, to address incorrect and misleading information in regard to the staffing of our Patrol Division. The inaccurate staffing information was broadcast by a local television station today, so clarification appears necessary.

The total authorized number of sworn police officers in Raytown is 56. Those officers include all ranks, from Patrol Officer to the Chief of Police. Of those 56 sworn police officers, 36 positions are assigned to the Patrol Division. Those 36 officers comprise four Patrol Squads (each with a Sergeant, Corporal, and six Patrol Officers) and the Traffic Unit (comprised of a Sergeant and 4 Traffic Officers.) These officers’ daily duties consist of responding to calls for service, patrolling, traffic enforcement, etc.

This means that the duties of these 36 positions are to put on a uniform and drive a marked patrol car for the shift. They patrol our parks, neighborhoods and entire city, between responding to calls for help from our residents and businesses. The number of officers that patrol “the streets” is also increased by reserve police officers, who supplement the Patrol Division by patrolling during large events or just being added as an additional officer for a patrol squad.

The Patrol Division organization chart has been released with this press release as a reference.

Those sworn personnel not assigned to Patrol are assigned to the Investigations Unit and three are assigned to the hiring/training unit.

As a matter of full transparency, Raytown Police has an authorized number of 21 Civilian employees, which are made up of Dispatchers, Detention Technicians, Records Clerks and a Crime Analyst. The total authorized number of staff of the Raytown Police Department is 77.

The picture that a very small number of sworn officers patrol our city is simply not true.

Although the 2017 Citizen’s Police Academy is already underway, we implore all of our residents to ask questions and learn about their police department, by attending a future Citizen’s Police Academy, ride with an officer on a ride-a-long, or volunteer at many of our community events.

 

Open Letter From Chief Lynch Regarding Budget Reduction

August 30, 2017

Dear Residents of Raytown:

 I have had the pleasure of policing in Raytown for more than 40 years and have been Chief of Police since 2001. Our mission at the Raytown Police Department is to provide a safe community for the people that live and work in Raytown. I am proud to work with our dedicated men and women and I hold a great deal of responsibility to the people who call Raytown home.

Last night, I learned that the upcoming budget of the Police Department, which begins on November 1^st, will be cut by over 2.5 million dollars, in addition to another half million dollars that have been cut. To fully inform our community, I have released a copy of the letter that outlines the budget cuts.  In order to meet that budget goal, drastic reductions to staffing must occur. 85% of our annual budget is made up of personnel costs, for our dispatchers, detectives, police officers, and the rest of our staff. The budget reduction equates to substantial impacts to public safety service, including the reduction of the number of police officers that serve our neighborhoods and protect our city. Please bear with us as we work through this.

Thank you for your patience while we address this development and its impact on the men and women of the Raytown Police Department and the safety of the Raytown community.

Sincerely,

Chief Jim Lynch

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Budget Letter 08292017

 

Police Announce Dangerous Driving Enforcement Near Schools

Press Release

For Release: 08-15-17

Prepared By: Captain Dyon Harper

Police Announce Dangerous Driving Enforcement Near Schools

Raytown, MO – School starts tomorrow in Raytown, 08-16-17, and the Raytown Police Department will resume efforts to reduce dangerous driving near Raytown’s schools.

What is different, though, is that, each week, police will announce in advance which specific school areas the dangerous driving enforcement will be occurring. If advanced notice of the enforcement reduces dangerous driving, the community goal of safer roadways for our children is reached, potentially with no tickets issued! It’s a “win-win.” Of course, our officers will be present to stop and speak with those that choose to drive dangerously anyway. The goal is to reduce dangerous driving near schools, not issue citations; that’s why the specific areas of enforcement will be announced in advance.

During the week of August 16 through 18, dangerous driving enforcement will occur near:

Raytown High School

Blue Ridge Elementary

Spring Valley Elementary

Officers will still be conducting their patrol of other areas and roadways; though they will specifically be present near those designated schools each week.

Armed Robbery Video Released

Press Release

Date: 08-09-17, 1615 hours

Released by: Captain Dyon Harper

Armed Robbery Video Released

Raytown, MO-Police have released new video of an armed robbery that occurred this morning, 08-09-17, at about 7:45 a.m., at the Phillips 66 gas station, 8111 E. 87 Street. A black male entered the store with a handgun and took money and condoms. As he tried to leave the clerk locked the doors. The suspect fired multiple shots into the front doors and shouldered the door open. No one was struck by the bullets. The suspect was last seen running south on foot. It is believed that there was an accomplice nearby, who did not enter the store.

The video may be viewed here: https://youtu.be/pAFitTSEmo0.

Anyone with information about the suspect, or his accomplice, is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-747-TIPS (8477).

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