Neighborhood president worries about community spread of COVID-19 after KCPD event
Kansas City police officers held a community event in a northeast Kansas City neighborhood, with volleyball matches, bounce houses and plenty of snacks last week. But the neighborhood president says the department increased the risk to the community when officers failed to wear masks or social distance.
In the days following the event, the Kansas City Police Department faced backlash on Twitter.
In an emailed statement, Kansas City police spokesman Capt. Dave Jackson said a local nonprofit organized the event with the intention to forge “positive relationships with the police and the community.” Jackson said “a few gave critical feedback” about the responses on Twitter.
Indian Mound Neighborhood Association President Manny Abarca said the event was advertised by five or six people in the association who had previously been focused on the neighborhood crime watch. He said those people told him that the department asked them to push the event.
The neighborhood is bordered by Gladstone Boulevard to the north, Independence Avenue to the south, South Jackson Avenue to the west and Belmont Boulevard to the east.
Abarca and the police department went back and forth on Twitter.
When Abarca tweeted at KCPD to ask why they partnered with organizations outside of Indian Mound and did not social distance or wear masks, the department responded with, “If you meant to tag us, it’s @kcpolice.”
He followed up by saying, “Perfect glad it got back to you, now your answer as to why you risked lives during a global pandemic for this photoshoot?”
KCPD responded with: “You’re welcome to call the East Patrol Community Interaction Officers who planned the event to discuss.”
“I don’t understand how KCPD can justify their actions and say this was for the community,” Abarca told The Star.
At first, he didn’t think much of it. Then, a board member sent him a picture of what they saw at the park. He said he was “in awe” of what he saw.
“It seems much more about a praise everyone, be together, and a complete ignorance of COVID-19,” Abarca said.
Jackson estimated about 100 people attended. He said this was one of the first few events as part of a series that will take place in each patrol division and that they received positive feedback from those who attended.
“The goal is to humanize officers and provide a safe environment to foster ongoing communication and interaction with the police and the community,” Jackson said.
Law enforcement officers are exempt from the mask order issued by Mayor Quinton Lucas. Jackson cited that exemption when asked about the concern that officers were contributing to community spread and said he did “acknowledge some people were not wearing masks.”
Jackson said he would question the motives of “anyone who would refer to police community interaction, partnerships, open dialogue, relationship building and communication in a fun environment as a ‘photo op.’”
Jackson said the department has participated in similar community events for more than 20 years. He added that the East Patrol Division has not been contacted about concerns.
This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 4:30 PM.
