Some Kansas City leaders back emergency jail plan amid crime surge
After another weekend of chaos — from ATVs and dirt bikes flooding city streets to a juvenile reportedly pointing a gun at officers — pressure is mounting for a quick solution to what some had called lawlessness.
Multiple arrests after KCPD crackdown on street racing, sideshows and ATVs
'We're fighting not only for your livelihood, for your family, but for the investments you've made — and it is so fixable. We can fix this,' said Sean O'Byrne, vice president of the Downtown Council.
Despite a more visible police presence this weekend, concerns remain. That increased enforcement came just days after FOX4's weeklong coverage on the state of public safety — or what many argue is a lack thereof — in Kansas City, Missouri.
Now, some city leaders believe they've found a stopgap solution. A temporary jail that could be built in under six months.
Kansas City hasn't had its own jail since 2009. A long-term facility is in the works — but construction isn't set to begin until next year, and completion could still be several years away.For Councilman Wes Rogers and Sean O'Byrne, that's too long to wait.
Their proposal? A modular jail — a facility that could be built in as little as four to five months.
'We didn't fall into this situation — we got into this situation,' O'Byrne said. 'We're going to change the dynamic and we're going to make things different.'
This modular facility Rodgers is proposing already has the support of six colleagues, which makes up seven of the thirteen council members, would offer Kansas City an immediate holding option while the permanent structure is built.
'We don't have a jail. People know we don't have a jail. It's causing problems that could be solved,' Rogers said. 'So we've got to do something in the meantime before the final jail gets built.'
Rogers, a first-term councilman and former state prosecutor, points out that the city is spending over $5 million a year transporting inmates to Nevada and Johnson County.
He says that model no longer makes financial or logistical sense — especially with crime trending upward and the World Cup set to arrive in Kansas City in just a few years.
'Constitutional rights are important, and Kansas City is not going to do anything that intentionally violates somebody's rights — it will be humane,' Rogers added, addressing concerns over inmate conditions.
Downtown businesses aren't staying silent. O'Byrne says local companies are committed to Kansas City — but they need help.
'We're at an inflection point and that inflection point needs attention,' O'Byrne said.
The first step in making the modular jail a reality happens on Tuesday, when the plan is introduced in the City Council's Finance Committee.
Jackson County legislators to discuss penalties for off-road vehicles
With seven council members already supporting it, this temporary solution may arrive faster than many thought possible.
Stay with FOX4 as we continue to follow this developing story.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
One person injured in Kansas City shooting near 99th, Holmes
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) is investigating a shooting at the intersection of 99th Street and Holmes Road on Wednesday afternoon. According to KCPD, officers were sent to the area around 5 p.m., where they would find a man suffering from gunshot wounds upon arrival. Kansas City man sentenced to 18 years for killing brother with sword KCPD said that the man was taken to a hospital with what are thought to be serious injuries. Detectives are now on the scene to investigate what led up to the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477. This is an ongoing investigation; FOX4 will provide updates as they're made available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Woman dies after shooting in Kansas City's Old Northeast: KCPD
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A woman is dead after a shooting in Kansas City's Old Northeast neighborhood Wednesday night. The Kansas City Police Department says officers responded to the area on Morrell Avenue, east of South Jackson Avenue, on a reported shooting around 8 p.m. When those officers arrived, they found a woman suffering from gunshot wounds in front of a house. One person injured in Kansas City shooting near 99th, Holmes KCPD called for EMS, which arrived and pronounced the victim dead at the scene. According to police, the shooting occurred as the woman was in front of the residence when an interaction with an unknown suspect took place, leading to shots being fired. KCPD says the suspect left in an unknown direction. Investigators identified the victim on Thursday morning as 42-year-old Braisen Cain. This is the 99th homicide in KCMO this year. If anyone heard or saw anything or has any information, they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-8477. This is an ongoing investigation; FOX4 will provide updates as they're made available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Concerns, calls for action grow amid 119th and Nall Royals stadium rumors
LEAWOOD, Kan. — FOX4 has more reaction to the thought of a baseball stadium going in at 119th Street and Nall Avenue in Overland Park. The old Sprint Campus, now known as Aspiria, is in Overland Park's city limits. Just east of Nall, and north of that stated location, though, are Leawood's city limits. The Kansas City Royals wouldn't comment on this FOX4 story Thursday or Friday. Leawood official weighs in on Royals stadium issue Back in March, though, Chairman and CEO John Sherman told reporters he did not envision his team playing at Kauffman Stadium in 2031. The lease for his team ends before their 2031 season begins. Angela and Tony Bertocchini live more than ten minutes from 119th and Nall, but they don't want a stadium going in at that intersection. Our first question for Angela late Friday afternoon was whether she was concerned the Royals were serious about that site. 'My first thought was, 'No way.' There's just, logistically, it does not make sense,' Angela said. 'But then when I started hearing a little bit more, 'Oh, this is a serious option they're considering,' I thought, 'Oh wow. We better start speaking out against this as citizens of this area so close.'' Angela said she thinks citizens of Leawood and Overland Park would potentially band together to try to fight a stadium development at 119th and Nall. She says people move to those cities because of the 'small community feel' it has, being close to the grocery store and the ability to walk their children to school. 'I can't imagine their thought would be, 'Oh, I hope I'm right next door to a baseball stadium where thousands of fans can come pooling into my neighborhood,'' Angela said. Late in May, FOX4 confirmed an affiliate of theirs bought the mortgage on the Aspiria campus. Republican State House Rep. Sean Tarwater says if the Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bond District's drawn into Leawood, and that city wanted to give their increased sales tax revenue back to pay off the development, that city council would have to vote on it. Friday, FOX4 also talked to Angela's husband, Tony Bertocchini, as well. 'The community engagement needs to probably start very soon if they're serious about moving the ball team to Overland Park,' Tony said Friday. 'You've got to have people that are going to be upset about the traffic impact, the impact to schools in the area. I think about the elementary school, the high school that are right across the street there.' Royals on Roku: How to watch the Kansas City Royals for free on Sunday Late in July, Leawood's Strategic Communications Director Beth Breitenstein told FOX4 that Leawood strongly supports the sense of community pride the local sports teams bring to our region. Leawood leaders have not been willing to talk on camera about it, though. 'If a site in close proximity to Leawood is ultimately selected by the Royals, we look forward to engaging with the community on this opportunity,' the city statement goes on to say. 'Not yet,' Angela said when asked if she and her husband had reached out to the Leawood City Council. 'But I plan to.' with Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog and his challenger, Faris Farassati, about this very issue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
