Deputies to brighten Christmas for 39 children

Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies will help 39 deserving children have a fantastic holiday during their annual Shop with a Sheriff event Sunday.

Deputies will shop with the children Dec. 14 at the Wal-Mart at 8301 N. Church Rd., Kansas City, Mo. One half of the children will shop at 9 a.m., with the second half at 9:45 a.m. Families were identified to participate through counselors and social workers in North Kansas City Schools, where the Sheriff’s Office provides school resource deputies.

Each child will get $250 to purchase gifts for themselves and their loved ones. This is a $50 increase over last year, thanks to generous donors. Sheriff’s Office volunteers will be on hand to wrap the gifts. Shop with a Sheriff is funded by grants, public donations and donations that Sheriff’s Office employees make to be able to sport beards or small nose rings throughout the year. 

KPGZ News - Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

Clay County Opens Law Enforcement Resource Center

Clay County marked a milestone with the official opening of its new Law Enforcement Resource Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance training for Sheriff’s Office staff and local partner agencies. The center, located at 16414 N.E. 116th St. in Kearney, is the county’s first major law enforcement construction project in 25 years, following the expansion of the Clay County Detention Center in 2000.

The $8 million project was made possible through federal grants, including significant support from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. Piper-Wind Architects, Inc. led the design, and Straub Construction LLC served as the general contractor.

Law enforcement personnel will benefit from the facility’s advanced amenities, including a 10-lane indoor shooting range, a classroom with capacity for up to 64 participants, and dedicated spaces for defensive tactics and decision-making training. The center also features cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality technology, providing officers with comprehensive preparation for the evolving needs of the county’s growing community.

To celebrate the grand opening, county employees, elected officials, and representatives from local law enforcement agencies toured the new training center, while over 40 neighboring residents received a preview during a special event the previous evening. The resource center is expected to help Sheriff’s Office staff meet rigorous training requirements and maintain readiness to serve Clay County effectively.

The Law Enforcement Resource Center stands as a significant investment in public safety and officer preparedness, reflecting Clay County’s commitment to supporting law enforcement and adapting to the demands of a growing population.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

High Tech Equipment Aids Deputies with DWI Arrest

Late Wednesday just after midnight, a dramatic chase unfolded near N.E. Parvin Road and N. Belmont Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, when Clay County Deputies combined teamwork and technology to apprehend a suspected drunk driver.

Deputies then deployed a drone equipped with heat-sensing technology, giving officers a real-time thermal image of the area.

It all began when a Traffic Safety Unit deputy attempted to pull over a vehicle traveling without headlights—a telltale sign of impaired driving. Instead of stopping, the driver sped away, nearly colliding with another car headed northbound. Moments later, the suspect lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the back of a parked semi truck's trailer.

Not content to surrender, the driver abandoned his car and fled on foot into Worlds of Fun. Security staff at Worlds of Fun quickly sprang into action, reviewing surveillance footage to track the suspect’s movements inside the park. Their efforts provided law enforcement with a rough estimate of the suspect's location.

Deputies then deployed a drone equipped with heat-sensing technology, giving officers a real-time thermal image of the area. The drone’s advanced imaging capabilities allowed law enforcement to pinpoint the suspect’s whereabouts within the sprawling grounds of Worlds of Fun. Officers from multiple agencies, including the Claycomo Police Department, Pleasant Valley Missouri Police Department, Gladstone MO Police, and Kansas City Missouri Police Department responded swiftly, coordinating to surround the park and ensure the suspect had nowhere to escape.

After a thorough search, officers apprehended the suspect without further incident. Subsequent testing revealed that the driver’s blood alcohol content was well above the legal limit. Police identified the suspect as Reginald L. Finch, 22, who now faces several charges, including aggravated fleeing a stop, driving while intoxicated, and leaving the scene of an accident.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Scammers Pose as Deputies, Target Residents with Fake Documents

Clay County residents have faced a surge in scam attempts over the past month, as relentless fraudsters impersonating deputies from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office have repeatedly called and texted locals in an effort to extort money. The scammers’ tactics include claiming that residents have missed either jury duty or a court date and warning them of an outstanding warrant for their arrest.

Victims report that the callers insist they remain on the phone, threatening that hanging up would constitute breaking the law. The scammers then offer a way out: payment of a so-called “civil bond.” Residents are directed to transfer money through popular apps or deposit funds at a Bitcoin ATM.

In recent weeks, the Sheriff’s Office has also received a notable increase in complaints about fraudulent documents being sent via text message. These documents, crafted to appear official, use information sourced from the internet about the targeted individuals. Authorities emphasize that these texts do not resemble legitimate paperwork issued by the Clay County Circuit Court.

Adding to the sophistication of the scam, reports have emerged in the past two weeks of the Sheriff’s Office main administrative phone number, 816-407-3750, being spoofed. This tactic is intended to make the scam appear more credible to unsuspecting residents. Law enforcement officials urge anyone who receives a suspicious call to verify its authenticity by contacting the Sheriff’s Office directly at their non-emergency number, 816-407-3700.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that deputies will never call to inform someone of an arrest warrant, nor will they demand payment or insist that a person stay on the line.

In Missouri, missing jury duty is considered an offense punishable by a fine, not arrest, and the courts would issue multiple forms of communication before taking any action. Residents are advised to be vigilant, recognize these red flags, and hang up immediately if contacted by someone making such demands.

Officials continue to investigate these scams and urge the community to remain cautious. Anyone who receives a suspicious call or message should report it to the authorities and refrain from providing personal information or sending money.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Project Silhouette Shines Light on Domestic Violence Victims

Shoppers and residents throughout Clay County will see the stories of real domestic violence victims throughout October with the Sheriff’s Office’s new Project Silhouette.

Project Silhouette places five life-sized cut-outs – three women, a man and a child –  at busy businesses and organizations like libraries. Each features the story of a real domestic violence victim, pulled from the Sheriff’s Office’s own criminal reports over the past 12 months. Victims are kept anonymous.

“The goal is to shine a light on the reality of abuse and bring their stories to the forefront – stories that too often go unheard,” Community Engagement Sergeant Megan Blackburn said.

Sergeant Blackburn is spearheading the Project Silhouette initiative during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

For their first week, the silhouettes will be placed in the entrances of the following businesses:

• Hy-Vee, 7117 N. Prospect Ave., Gladstone, Mo.

• Price Chopper, 15700 N. Hwy 169, Smithville, Mo.

• Price Chopper, 701 Watson Dr., Kearney, Mo.

• Wal-Mart, 2203 Patsy Lane, Excelsior Springs, Mo.

• Wal-Mart, 8301 N. Church Road, Kansas City, Mo.

The silhouettes will move to other locations, including libraries, over the course of the month.

“Victims need support, resources, and someone to stand up for them. If Project Silhouette can offer even a small piece of that – if it can make even one person feel seen or safe, provide signs of what to look for – then it’s all been worth it,” Sergeant Blackburn said.

KPGZ News - Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.