RCPD Captain Josh Kyle addressing Riley County Law Board
“Whack a mole” was a term used by Riley County Law Board Chair Robert Boyd when describing this year’s Fake Patty’s Day in Aggieville, which even though it’s been more than two weeks continued to dominate discussion at a governmental meeting.
Riley County Police Captain Josh Kyle told the board an after action review indicated in general the current way of dealing with the event is working well–but admitted some adjustments need to be made. Kyle added tweaking could include more officers on the street after three a.m.and a closer look at drug activities. He and RCPD Director Brad Schoen also addressed hopes to continue to have the City’s Pavilion available as a Command Center.
Boyd praised Kyle and RCPD but also expressed concern about reacting rather than being proactive. Questions also came regarding the exact dollar amount involved in handling the event and number of violent crimes such as rapes and sexual assaults, that sometimes may not be reported until later.
Law Board member Wynn Butler wondered about an exact dollar number on the expense and financial impact of the event, saying he’s heard one number being circulated–but isn’t sure where that came from. Butler also referred to there being no control over when the bars open and close which might have an impact. Boyd later indicated he hoped to organize a meeting with K-State and the Aggieville Business Association to consider some other options in the future.
Other discussion dealt with a possible look by city officials at drunk and disorderly type ordinances–not only for Fake Patty’s Day but for other cases. Captain Josh Kyle admitted it’s a problem, referring to the death last December of Tyler Nelson, who reportedly tried to force himself into another person’s home before being shot and killed.
On a slightly different subject Board Member Karen McCulloh also asked about excessive noise and parking violations she’s been hearing about from constituents–with plans to have a meeting in the near future with city and law enforcement officials.
A woman who assisted a victim in a multiple-stabbing case more than a year ago was recognized at Monday’s Riley County Law Board meeting with a standing ovation. Riley County Police Director Brad Schoen told the group and audience at the meeting while Karen Kemp had no way of knowing why the woman was being attacked she still clearly placed herself in danger of being attacked.
The award wasn’t presented sooner as the case was going through the court system, with Samuel Dartez just sentenced in January to 272 months — or 22 years and six months — behind bars for attempted 1st degree murder. The stabbing of the victim ocurred on November 13th 2014 near the intersection of Juliette and Yuma Streets.
Also recognized was National Public Safety Telecommunications week and the group approved an Impaired Driving Deterrence Program Grant. They were reminded of recent school enforcement zone efforts, which is a multi-state program. And proper use of forfeiture and seizure money was discussed–along with an update on a juvenile justice bill and its possible impact on Riley County.
