The Unified Government commission voted May 29 to approve a six‑month memorandum of understanding under which the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department will provide on‑duty marked patrols in the downtown Special Municipal Improvement District (SMID), paid for and requested by Downtown Shareholders.

Under the approved MOU (effective June 16–Dec. 31, 2025), the police department will provide one on‑duty officer in a marked patrol unit to patrol the SMID Monday–Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and again from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., as staffing permits. The department agreed to provide additional coverage for special events or weekend requests with 72 hours’ notice, again subject to staffing availability. Downtown Shareholders will reimburse the Unified Government at $50 per hour per officer; bills are to be paid within 30 days of invoicing.

City legal counsel and a Downtown Shareholders representative described the arrangement as a short‑term, contractable deployment of UG sworn, on‑duty officers (who use UG marked units and have arrest authority) rather than private security. Chief and command staff said the arrangement lets the department deploy a visible, uniform presence into windows that stakeholders identified as high‑need: the midday and evening periods when licensed establishments are active and when deputies reported an uptick in disorderly conduct.

Deputy Chief / Major George Sims told commissioners the department recently ran intensified enforcement in the area and logged about 191 contacts in a two‑week period, with roughly 46 arrests largely for nuisance or public‑order offenses. Commissioners and downtown representatives said the downtown property owners (the SMID) have paid an additional property tax levy (about 8.8 mills) for SMID services and that part of the SMID budget for security and cleaning had previously been used to fund private security and cleaning contracts; the new MOU shifts certain safety work to sworn, on‑duty officers.

Commissioners asked about staffing and overtime. Police command said the officers will be on duty (not off‑duty overtime) and the department will bill the SMID at a rate that covers the overtime cost when it applies; the “as‑available” clause covers rare instances when staffing is drawn to higher‑priority emergencies.

The commission approved the resolution by roll call (majority in favor).

Ending: Downtown Shareholders and KCKPD will proceed with the six‑month pilot period. Staff indicated the SMID budget currently includes security funding (staff referenced a $210,000 figure for security/cleaning), and commissioners asked staff to report back on pilot outcomes and any recommended changes before the SMID and the UG consider longer‑term arrangements.