KCPD East Patrol launched a new and improved hot spot policing initiative, aimed at building relationships with its neighbors.
Capt. Ryan Mills is the commander of the program. He hopes to work on building relationships with East Patrol’s neighbors.
"Policing isn't just about putting people in jail,” said Mills. "It's about the relationships and a much broader view, so we're trying to accomplish each of those things."
One of the officers’ first assignments was to attend a health fair at the Seton Center.
LaToya Walker works at the Seton Center. She watched as many visitors were surprised to see the officers there to simply say "hello."
“At first, people were like, ‘What, why are there seven police officers, what is going on?’" Walker said.
Walker will be the first to admit her east side neighbors are hesitant to have a relationship with police.
“There's a huge barrier, especially in the community,” Walker said.
She believes more positive interaction will make a big difference in perception.
“It's not just ‘we want to arrest someone, we want to solve this crime.’ They want to build a relationship to make this area safer," Walker said.
"I think a lot of it is, how we can better serve the community, and serving the community isn't only arrest numbers,” Mills added.
Between eight and 12 officers are assigned to hot spot patrol on a given shift. The improved program launched in the beginning of April. Officers have attended 10 community events thus far.
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Lexi Sutter can be reached at lexi.sutter@kshb.com.
