KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Westport neighborhood in Kansas City typically closes portions of its streets to vehicles as it welcomes pedestrians for night-life on Fridays and Saturdays. In the past, that has included security screenings.
The screenings typically end during the colder months, but this year the screenings will end early due to staffing shortages.
Chesley Brown International provides security personnel to the area, but it has been unable to hire enough screeners, according to a release.
Screening for the area has been conducted since 2018, with the measures put back in place in June.
The screenings normally included ID checks and vetting for weapons or open containers from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Chesley Brown gave a statement to KSHB 41 News.
"Chesley Brown International has successfully partnered with the Westport Regional Business League on their security efforts for the last 13 years," the company said. "However, the enhanced security screening, which is conducted seasonally each year during the spring and summer months, has been challenging this past season. As with many industries during these unprecedented times, hiring employees, especially part time/seasonal, as well as off-duty police, has been extremely difficult."
The area will continue to be blocked off for pedestrians from 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., and individual bars and restaurants will still do their own screening of customers.
Westport, as well as Chesley Brown, encouraged those interested in becoming a screener to apply.
