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Grain Valley officials direct staff to meet with volunteer organizer after safety concerns about Santa Bus
Summary
After a public comment about near‑misses during this year’s Santa Bus route, Grain Valley aldermen directed staff to meet with volunteer organizer Chuck Johnson and agreed to provide off‑duty officer support for the remainder of the season while staff and police develop a traffic plan and address permitting and liability questions.
Chuck Johnson, a Grain Valley resident, told the Board of Aldermen the city’s Santa Bus operation has long relied on volunteer VIP drivers using city vehicles and said this year those volunteers lacked access to city vehicles, producing safety gaps.
“I’m asking if the city assist the way they’ve done for the last 28 years,” Johnson said, recounting an incident in which a child ran into the street and a vehicle nearly struck the child. Johnson told the board VIPs historically used city vehicles and volunteered their time; he asked the city to avoid paying an off‑duty officer when volunteers can safely fulfill the role.
Mayor (unnamed) and board members said the safety question raises liability and…
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