KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Metal detectors were added Aug. 31, 2018, at entry points to Westport on Friday and Saturday nights.
Since then, visitors must walk through metal detectors from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. with the goal of reducing crime.
The early returns are encouraging. Since the security measure was put in place, aggravated assaults and property damage are down.
"The purpose was to try to prevent people from bringing weapons into the central core of late night Westport," Kansas City Assistant City Manager Rick Usher said.
The caveat is that Westport businesses told 41 Action News foot traffic also is down.
“I'd say somewhere between 25 and 35% in the past year,” Nick Woods with Fidel’s Cigar Shop said.
The Ad Hoc Group Against Crime hs worked to ensure visitors' civil rights are not violated and they haven’t received any complaints since the metal detectors went up
Overall, Usher said the city is pleased with the new security measure so far.
“We're trying to create places that people like to go hang out and enjoy Kansas City," he said.
