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Residents and aldermen press for stronger response after Coleman Park shooting
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Summary
Public commenters and aldermen raised safety concerns after a May 9 caravan and shooting at Coleman Park, calling for clearer police patrols and debating park gates and operational limits; the board heard public criticism and Park Board responses during the June 17 meeting.
Jim DeLong, a longtime resident at 5900 Laurel Avenue, urged the Raytown Board of Aldermen to treat the May 9 Coleman Park incident as a serious public-safety problem, saying the night’s caravan and gunfire constituted “a crime against all Raytown.” He told the board he heard “anywhere from 30 to 100” shots and cited Missouri statute 571.031 (unlawful discharge of a firearm) while faulting the police for putting responsibility on the Park Board.
Alderman Greg Walters and other aldermen described community alarm and said park officials have taken measures such as installing speed humps and arranging private security patrols on weekends. Walters said the Park Board has been reluctant to close gate access during nonoperational hours, while residents at a recent Park Board meeting reportedly voted by show of hands to close gates at curfew hours.
Park Director Dave Turner (mentioned during the discussion) and other Park Board members said some installed gates are not functioning as intended and noted trade-offs: gates could impede emergency response by police, fire or EMS if not managed carefully. Alderman Hayden and others emphasized decorum after a member of the public used offensive language at a Park Board meeting; Hayden said the remark was inappropriate for a public forum.
No ordinance or board action changing park hours or gate policy was adopted at the June 17 meeting. Mayor and staff described ongoing coordination between the Park Board, Parks Department and police; staff said steps already taken include speed-control installations on Lane Street and plans for weekend private security at Coleman Park. Several aldermen asked staff to continue evaluating practical measures that do not impair emergency access and to report back.
The board did not vote on a new gate or curfew policy during the session. The mayor said staff and the Park Board are actively defining solutions and that more discussion will follow in subsequent meetings.
