Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Nuisance Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Raytown Aldermen unanimously adopt ordinance holding property owners responsible for unlawful activity
Summary
The Raytown Board of Aldermen unanimously adopted an ordinance creating a new city code section (28-452) that allows enforcement when illegal activity or nuisances occur on private property and requires property owners to cooperate with law enforcement, a measure proponents tied to recent shootings near a downtown nightclub.
The Raytown Board of Aldermen on Monday adopted an ordinance adding section 28-452 to the city code to prohibit maintenance of nuisances and unlawful activities on private property and require property owners to cooperate with law enforcement.
Alderman Ryan Myers, who brought the measure forward, said the ordinance is intended "to restore order, safety, and accountability across all properties in Raytown" and to give enforcement agencies "teeth" when illegal activity becomes a pattern. "If you own, manage, or profit from a property in Raytown, you have a role in keeping that property safe," Myers said during the second reading and debate.
The measure defines nuisances to include activities that cause "hurt, inconvenience, or damage" to neighbors, the possession or distribution of unlawful substances on the property, failure to report such unlawful activity by third parties, and other conduct that violates municipal, state, or federal law. After discussion among aldermen and public comment linking neighborhood incidents to nearby businesses, Myers moved to approve the ordinance; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call.
Mayor Michael McDonough framed the ordinance as a tool for neighborhoods and businesses alike, noting the city has seen a rise in violent incidents. Several aldermen said the language is broad enough to apply to commercial properties and residential landlords and that enforcement should extend beyond a single establishment. "It's not just about safety of the children. It's about property owners. It's about life in Raytown," one alderman said in support.
Justin Day and other residents addressed the board earlier in the meeting about property damage and gunfire they attributed to patrons frequenting a nearby nightclub; Jared McCarron, who identified himself as the owner of the Silver Fox, told the board his business employs security, limits glassware, and cooperates with police but that his staff cannot control activity that occurs outside the premises.
The ordinance passage follows public testimony and several aldermen’s remarks urging enforcement tools for repeat-problem locations. The city clerk recorded the vote as unanimous.
The ordinance becomes part of Chapter 28, Article 12 of the Raytown Code; implementation details and enforcement procedures will be handled by the city’s code enforcement and police departments.
