Police have stated that there were a number of fights, the deployment of Bear Spray, and a recovered firearm during the evening at Lee’s Summit’s downtown days.
The Lee’s Summit Police Department sent out a call for assistance as the number of incidents increased at the Lee’s Summit Day’s event in downtown Lee’s Summit. It started around 7:40pm when a Juvenile deployed Bear Spray, exposing numerous people in the crowd. In a separate incident, officers said they recovered a firearm following a chase involving a juvenile. LSPD reported that several juveniles were detained during the evening and later released to a guardian.
This was all despite the Lee’s Summit Police Department coordinating event organizers and working out several proactive safety and security measures with event organizers, including:
- Increased police staffing
- Layout adjustments to improve crowd flow
- Camera trailers and additional lighting
- Increased private security
- Reduced event hours
- Adjustments to carnival size, focusing on rides for children under 12
It is time to crack down … to get tough on criminal behavior … regardless of the age of the people who take part in these random acts of violence and other criminal behavior. Put simply, today’s youth are NOT afraid of reprocussions. They have the opinion that nothing serious is going to happen to them. And when they are caught and they are issued a suitable punishment, the community, their friends and family, all stand up and scream ‘unfair’ and even declare that it’s systemic racism.
Let me put it into words that anyone should be able to understand. Businesses, events, you are going to find it harder and harder to get law abiding citizens to patronize your businesses (such as shoppin malls and areas like the Plaza). You’re going to find it harder and harder to bring people out to your events if they have to worry about getting caught up in violence created by young adults that are, in their minds, and for the most part, untouchable. I will speak for myself and say that I will not attend any events around the Kansas City area simply because I don’t believe them to be safe. I will not patronize places like the Independence Center, the Independence Commons, or any other business of which publicly declares that “no firearms” are allowed. Those whom I have to worry about are not going to abide by the ban on firearms and you’re essentially demanded that I sacrifice my self-defense from criminals.
For a moment, let’s imagine what Santa-Cali-Gon Days are going to be like in Independence this Labor Day weekend.
