Rockhill Ridge Neighborhood Association

A CAN (Community Action Network) notice: Tuesday the 22nd, 6:30, Rockhurst Community Center...catch up on safety issues in 49/63 with Officers DeFreece and Morales. At 7:30 stay for the 49/63 General Meeting and Ice Cream Social! 54th and Troost

49/63 Community Police Officers DeFreece and Morales, Codes Inspector Michael Smith, and residents will meet at the monthly resident meeting, Tuesday, April 24th, 6:30, Rockhurst Community Center, 54th and Troost. The safety and appearance side of 49/63 needs constant vigilance. Your thoughts need to be heard, and your help is needed.

From the CAN Center:
Free Safety Seminar for Women by KCPD, 8-12, Paseo Academy, May 5. email angela.mccune@kcpd.org to register.
Nat'l Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Saturday, 4/28, 10-2, 633 E. 63rd.
49/63 Community Action Network Open Meeting, Tuesday, April 24, 6:30, Rockhurst Community Center, 54th & Troost.

A 49/63 plat neighbor to Rockhill Ridge, Troost Avenue Lawn, is having a garage sale everyone will want to support. April 21st, 7:00 to 5:00, grilled food and snacks served at 12 noon on 62nd, between 61st and 63rd. Would be a good time to meet this rather newly organized group. Boundaries are Harrison St and Rockhill Road between 61st and 63rd.

From the 49/63 CAN Center: Open Community Action Network Meeting, Tuesday eve, March 27, 6:30, Rockhurst Community Center, 54th and Troost. Consult with Officers DeFreece and Morales. Codes enforcement officer Michael Smith will be there, a UMKC Police Officer and our Animal Health and Public Safety officer, Durand Eddins. Refreshments will be served. Meeting is open for crime stat sharing, questions and discussion.
Note that the burglar that created havoc and fear in parts of our neighborhood and other area south and west of us has a hearing set for 4/16/12, Div 14, 1315 Locust, 10:00 a.m. His name is Walter Coppage. April 3 is a court date for peace disturbance tickets in 49/63. More on all this at the meeting.

From the 4963 CAN Center:It is reported by UMKC in a Safety Alert that on Thursday March 15 at approximately 8:55 p.m. at the bus stop at 55th and Troost, a student was approached by three suspects, two armed with handguns. The student was unharmed. What was taken was not reported. Suspect 1: African American male, about 16-18 years old, scruffy beard, wearing all black clothing and a black hat. Suspect 2: African American male, about 16-18 years old. No further descriptions available. Any information should go to 235-1515 at UMKC and ask to speak to the supervisor on duty. Or, just let 911 operators know that you have information.

Saturday, June 9 at 7:30am.

Rockhill Ridge Annual Yard Sale

From the CAN Center and Metro Patrol: Good news,
The burglar that has been committing early morning (2-6am) offenses in MPD was taken into custody this morning in the area of Gregory and Baltimore. He had just committed a burglary and was waiting for his accomplice to pick him up when an alert Sergeant recognized him. After a brief chase he was taken into custody and the house that was burglarized was located.
This is the guy that has been breaking into houses early in the morning while the residents sleep. He had a warrant for burglary but he couldn’t be found before today.

Disciplinary action for Rockhurst students because of party

On March 5 three Rockhurst students were fined $400 each in Municipal Court - all in connection with a party on Tracy some months ago. It is helpful to have at least one person from the neighborhood there, even if that person is not an eyewitness. Ruth Austin has done this many, many times - but it is time for others to help take on this task.

I think it really does make a difference if someone is there. Before the case is heard, one can talk briefly to the Prosecuting Attorney, who makes note of the presence of neighborhood persons and informs the judge of this. It also often is possible to have a positive conversation with the defendant after a case is heard. I think that most of the students have no desire to go to court again and would like a positive relationship with the neighborhood.

On the basis of a comment that one of the defendants made to me when I started a conversation in the lobby later, I learned that Rockhurst University also may impose fines for unacceptable behavior, both on campus and off campus. A violation can be quite expensive if a student has a fine in municipal court, a fine from Rockhurst, and lawyer's fees.

Here are some short excerpts from a much longer statement in the Student Handbook.

Disciplinary Probation I is a written warning that the student’s behavior is unacceptable.... Disciplinary Probation I carries a fine typically ranging from $500-$1000 which is assessed directly to the student’s account.

Disciplinary Probation II is a written warning of behavior which is serious and unacceptable.... Additionally, Disciplinary Probation II carries a fine typically ranging from $1000-$2000 which is assessed directly to the student’s account.

Ruth Austin

Frrom the 49/63 CAN Center: Good neighborhoods (likle 49/63) stay on top of what is going on. Join the people (along with the Coalition Board) that work hard to keep 49/63 safe and orderly. Tuesday, February 28, 6:30 pm, Rockhurst Community Center, 54th & Troost. Meet with Officers DeFreece, Morales, Codes Officer Michael Smith, Animal Control Officer Durand Eddins, COMBAT, and other CAN and plat reps. It will be good if you are there.