KC Police Department’s Metro Patrol Division reduces overnight services

Beginning Saturday, the Kansas City Police Department’s Metro Patrol Division, 7601 Prospect Ave., no longer will take walk-in or phone reports or accept bonds between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Citizens needing those services can get them during those hours at the South Patrol Division at 9701 Marion Park Drive, police said.

Though the Metro Patrol’s front desk will be not be staffed during overnight hours, the lobby will remain open and a desk sergeant will be available to handle emergencies.

The station’s reduced service hours are the result of staff reductions among the department’s civilian employees. The department has eliminated 100 positions in the last five years.

Metro Patrol averaged 18 walk-in and phone-in reports during overnight hours each month. By contrast, an average of 333 reports are made monthly during regular business hours.

Division commanders sought input from residents and business leaders before deciding to reduce overnight front desk hours.

Maj. Diane Mozzicato said she and her staff will assess the effect of the change after six months. All other police department patrol divisions remain open 24 hours a day.

The records unit at Police Headquarters recently reduced its hours to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. It is closed weekends and holidays.

This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 7:53 AM with the headline "KC Police Department’s Metro Patrol Division reduces overnight services."