KC police officers are now patrolling downtown districts in UTVs. Here’s why
Kansas City police officers are now patrolling downtown areas using a pair of new UTVs, sometimes called “side-by-side” vehicles, that were donated to the city’s police department.
Touting the new vehicles at a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said the vehicles will normally be used by officers who patrol in the downtown corridor, including in the Crossroads, the River Market, West Bottoms and 18th and Vine districts, but can also be used for special events like the World Cup.
The UTVs, which are smaller than a full-size patrol vehicle, can be used to navigate situations like narrow alleyways, in parking garages, on trails and in industrial areas, she said.
The vehicles have air conditioning and heating systems and can be used year-round. They’re also equipped with light bars and can be used to stop vehicles, Graves said, noting they have a top speed of 55 mph.
“If one of these comes behind you, you do have to pull over,” she said. “It is an official police vehicle.”
Graves hailed the vehicles as another tool for the department and said she expected to request more of them soon.
“Right now, we’re seeing reductions in crime, but sometimes that’s not always felt by our residents, our business owners,” she said. “We want to make sure that not only are we there to prevent crime, intervene in crime, use these for enforcement, but also improve the perception of safety by our presence.”
The vehicles, which police said cost nearly $36,000 apiece, were donated to the department by the Police Foundation of Kansas City and UMB Bank.
Said UMB Bank president and chief executive officer Jim Rine: “We have over 2,000 associates that are headquartered in downtown Kansas City, and keeping our streets safe and our community safe is a high priority for us. We were more than willing to answer the call when we were asked to help.”
Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw said the City Council has heard in recent weeks “significant concern” about safety in parking garages and other areas in downtown Kansas City.
“This is a perfect answer for how we can address and improve the safety of Kansas City,” she said.
