Raytown's City Hall and police headquarters had to close down Thursday afternoon following an air quality issue.
Authorities said the building, which has City Hall on the upper floor and the police department on the lower floor, was closed because of an airborne health hazard within the building that they say has not yet been located.
According to a news release, a police spokesman said that air quality tests made in police headquarters earlier Thursday indicated such high concentrations of volatile organic compounds, including formaldehyde, that it exceeded levels set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for safe occupancy.
City Hall remained closed Friday, July 1 for further testing. Police headquarters will remain closed until the source of the hazard is identified and mitigated, according to the news release. This includes the Detention Center (jail) and the Records Unit.
Authorities said the public will not be able to gain access to police headquarters. All persons requiring services from the Raytown police will need to call 911 or 816-737-6020.
The Raytown Fire Protection District and the police departments of Kansas City and Lee’s Summit are helping to provide temporary facilities for Raytown police. No field services are being reduced, according to the news release. Police patrols will continue and calls will continue to be handled as normal.
Locals react to closure
Jess Spellmeyer of Raytown went to City Hall to get paperwork he needs to drive.
"I got to get this thing legalized before the bill of sales runs out and put me in a pinch," said Jesse Spellmeyer.
There is a drop box at City Hall to pay bills, but other services from police and the city were closed.
Albert Nitz went to the police station to get a police report he needs to file with his insurance. He says he was rear-ended two weeks ago.
"It's a real inconvenience because it's hard getting here with my work schedule and I was off today, and this would have been a great time to do it,” said Nitz.
The city is currently planning on being open by next Tuesday.
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Ali Hoxie can be reached at ali.hoxie@kshb.com
