A REPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY: 2023
A MESSAGE FROM LENEXA CHIEF OF POLICE DAWN LAYMAN Happy New Year! I hope you and your family enjoyed a safe and happy holiday season. As I sit down to write this message, I am more optimistic than ever about the year ahead. In 2024, we will make our much-anticipated move to the new Lenexa Justice Center located at the intersection of Prairie Star Parkway and Britton Street. Barring any delays in construction, we plan to move all police operations to the new site this summer. The new Justice Center will not only be centrally-located within the community, but it will also serve as a welcoming space for community events. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to the City of Lenexa’s My Lenexa News e-newsletter at Lenexa.com/ ENews for more information about a public open house we’re planning for the fall. While I am excited about what is to come, I also want to take time and reflect about this past year. In October 2023, we celebrated our inaugural National Night Out event by hosting a family-friendly cookout at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. We served free hotdogs, displayed police vehicles, had demonstrations from our K9 Unit and showed how we operate police drones. We look forward to continue celebrating National Night Out yearly, as part of the campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to make our neighborhoods safer and foster positive relationships between our department and the community we serve. In June 2023, our School Resource Unit, staffed by five school resource officers, facilitated the department’s first Advanced Youth Police Academy. This program was specifically designed for students who had previously attended our Youth Police Academy and displayed a
greater level of interest and understanding of a law enforcement career. During this three-day class, students took a deeper dive into previously learned concepts on police tactics, traffic stops, the judicial system and criminalistics. The advanced academy also included visits to the Johnson County Adult Detention Center, Johnson County Crime Lab, and the Johnson County District Court, where students observed real criminal hearings. These are just two highlights of the variety of ongoing community policing efforts we prioritize and take great pride in. In addition to these important endeavors, I would be remiss to not also mention the fantastic patrol work that happened throughout 2023. Our Directed Patrol Unit conducted special operations to combat organized retail theft in the 95th Street and Quivira shopping corridor. They also worked to combat human trafficking and prostitution from taking place in Lenexa hotels. Our patrol shifts also made considerable arrests of dangerous individuals including armed robbers, car burglars and drug distributors. As Chief, it is my objective to continue providing the training and resources necessary for our personnel to do the job you’ve come to expect in keeping Lenexa a safe place to live, work and play. I hope you will find this annual report helpful in understanding some of the crime and safety-related activities in our community throughout 2023. Thank you for your continued support.
Dawn M. Layman DLayman@lenexa.com 913.477.7300
This report is published annually by the Lenexa Police Department. Please send questions or comments to LenexaPDPIO@lenexa.com. Lenexa.com/Police Some photos taken by volunteer photographer Bill Harrison. 2 LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT
2023 42,218 INCIDENTS HANDLED
BY THE NUMBERS
2,782 arrests
20,036
121 STOLEN VEHICLES
officer-initiated activities includes anything that doesn’t first go through dispatch, such as traffic stops, vehicle checks, pedestrian checks and motor assists
LOCATION OF
AU
26 2 auto burglaries
TO
RG BU
LARIES 4%
43% 23%
An auto burglary is when someone enters a vehicle, with or without force, with the intention to steal something such as purse, bag, electronics or any other contents inside the vehicle.
25% 5%
Apartment complex
Hotel
All other residential
Park
Commercial business TOP FIVE TARGETED VEHICLE BRANDS: CHEVROLET, FORD, DODGE, TOYOTA & KIA AUTO BURGLARIES BY VEHICLE TYPE
39%
27%
24%
7%
2%
1%
SEDAN
SUV
TRUCK
VAN
HATCHBACK
COUPE
T O P F I V E WAY S A U T O B U R G L A R S A R E G E T T I N G I N T O V E H I C L E S
UNLOCKED VEHICLE
DOOR HANDLE DAMAGED
WINDOW BREAK
LOCK DAMAGED
UNKNOWN
TOWNTALK LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT 3
INSIDE THE SCHOOL RESOURCE UNIT
5
OFFICERS
12
SCHOOLS
ONE VISION From talking with concerned parents about teen alcohol use to having a uniformed officer on campus throughout the day, Lenexa Police has had a consistent presence in local schools for nearly 30 years. Today, the Lenexa Police School Resource Unit is staffed with five officers and one supervisor. Each of Lenexa’s 12 schools is assigned a School Resource Officer, commonly known as “SRO”. This includes elementary, middle, and high school, as well as private schools. SROs are part of each school’s staff, serving as teacher, guest speaker, informal counselor, program coordinator and law enforcement officer. They are certified by the National Association of School Resource Officers, and work in collaboration with school administrations to promote a safe educational environment for all. Some of their duties include:
•
Reducing juvenile crime by increasing students’ awareness of rules, authority and justice, as well as promoting self-awareness and responsible citizenship.
•
Reviewing school crisis plans and conducting safety meetings with school staff and students.
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Assisting with emergency drills.
•
Serving as a uniformed police presence on school grounds in order to detect and deter criminal activity and potential security threats at the school.
•
Serving as a resource to teachers, parents and students by dealing with individual problems, concerns and questions.
•
Providing classroom instruction on law-related topics, violence prevention and diffusion, internet safety, bullying, alcohol and drug prevention, and safety.
During the summer when school is not in session, SROs attend training conferences for continuing education on school-based policing, facilitate the Youth Police Academy, engage in community policing events and activities, and assist with patrol or investigative duties depending on the needs of the department. In early August, they begin planning for the upcoming school year by working on lesson plans, attending in-service trainings or meetings at their respective schools, and working with their school administrators on safety planning.
DID YOU KNOW?
You can contact your school’s SRO with various questions like how to talk with your child about difficult topics. Find your school’s assigned SRO at Lenexa.com/SRO.
4 LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT
TWO SESSIONS. 40+ STUDENTS.
YOUTH POLICE ACADEMY
While many school-aged children say they want to be a first reponder when they grow up, we provide opportunities for youth to gain a better understanding of what a career in law enforcement really entails. Through our summer Youth Police Academy, we host a free one-week program for students ages 13-17 to gain insight into the operations of a police department and engage in hands-on activities and simulations.
Students hear from various staff members and divisions within our department on topics such as police K9 procedures, evidence collection, patrol operations and criminal investigations. This fun, interactive program also includes hands-on learning opportunities like an obstacle course and mock crime scene investigation. We were proud to offer an advanced course (pictured right) in 2023 for previous participants to build upon knowledge they learned before.
“Lenexa’s Youth Police Academy showed me just how unique this career can be. It gave me a great idea of what law enforcement does on a day-to-day basis. It allowed me to meet some great people and make important connections with local agencies.” SAMUEL THALMANN Former academy participant and current police officer with the City of Spring Hill, Kansas
2024 YOUTH POLICE ACADEMY DATES June 3 - 7, 2024 June 10 - 14, 2024 Learn more and apply at LPDYouthAcademy.com.
SUPPORTING THE POLICE PUBLIC SAFETY FUND The generous support of our community helps make the City of Lenexa a special place to live, work and play. Established in 2017, the Lenexa Foundation accepts donations on behalf of the City of Lenexa to support the Lenexa Police Department in furthering community engagement, education, crime prevention, employee wellness, and support special projects and community charities. Your contribution supports a variety of work and is tax deductible as allowed by law (please consult your tax adviser). You can make an unrestricted gift to the foundation. Due to the possible appearance of a conflict of interest, contributions will not be accepted from any person or entity that has any unresolved, pending application, permit, request, or matter with the City of Lenexa. HOW TO MAKE A DONATION Donations can be made electronically by scanning the QR code or by mailing a check payable to: The Lenexa Foundation 17101 W. 87th St. Pkwy. Lenexa, KS 66219* *In the memo line of the check, please write Police Public Safety Fund. LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT 5
AERIAL VIEW OF JUSTICE CENTER CONSTRUCTION SITE
LENEXA JUSTICE CENTER
EMBRACING THE FUTURE The future Lenexa Justice Center is on track to open in late summer 2024. This new headquarters for the Police Department and Municipal Court will allow these operations to move out of the Public Safety Complex, which has numerous mechanical issues, space/layout limitations and other challenges. The $73-million campus at Prairie Star Parkway and Britton Street will enhance security, training, communications, dispatch and records and evidence storage, in addition to welcoming areas for public activities. Stay updated with progress at Lenexa.com/JusticeCenter. RENDERING
LENEXA POLICE OFFICER SIGNING BEAM AT TOPPING OUT CEREMONY ON MAY 17 RENDERING
6 LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT
PROGRAMS & SERVICES In addition to providing traffic enforcement, crime investigation and emergency response, the Lenexa Police Department offers more than 18 community-oriented programs you can participate in.
Active Shooter Response Training
Free active shooter response training
is offered to Lenexa businesses, churches, civic groups and other interested organizations.
Alarm Registration
If you have a home or business alarm system, you must register it with our free online registration system.
Child Car Seat Inspections
Get peace of mind that you’ve correctly installed your child’s car seat by scheduling an inspection with our certified public service officers. We do not install the car seat for you, but instead inspect and assist with adjustments.
Citizens’ Police Academy
Learn the ins and outs of the Lenexa Police Department through this free 12-week program.
Community Video Partnership Program
Help us solve crimes faster by registering your home or business video cameras that record public areas.
Crime-Resistant Community Partnership
We partner with apartments, hotels and storage units to reduce crime and create safe neighborhoods.
Internet Safety Workshops
Station Tours
Fingerprinting
Understanding Police Use of Force: Citizen Workshop
Learn how to stay safe from online dangers and keep your personal data protected.
We provide fingerprinting services to Lenexa residents for a small fee.
Gun Locks
You can pick up a free gun lock at the Lenexa Police Station.
Hire an Off-Duty Police Officer
Off-duty Lenexa police officers may be hired by a private entity to provide security-related services.
Neighborhood Block Party Visits
When available, our officers will visit neighborhood block parties. These requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and are attended by on-duty officers who may need to leave to respond to a call.
Police Officer Educational Visits
We value the opportunity for community engagement and are available to make educational visits to community groups.
Police Ride-Alongs
See what our officers do first-hand through our ride-along program.
We offer tours of our police station to individuals and groups.
We host workshops twice a year to educate civilians about the various aspects of police use of force.
Vacation House Watch
When you are out of town, we’ll keep an eye on your home.
Vehicle Lockouts
We will assist if you are locked out of your vehicle when someone is locked in the vehicle and cannot unlock it themselves. If it is not an emergency, we will call a locksmith for you. Call 911 to speak with our dispatchers and explain your situation.
Year-Round Drug Disposal
Clean out your medicine cabinet and safely dispose of unused and expired prescription medications in our lobby 24/7.
Youth Police Academy
A one-week summer program offered twice a year for teens ages 13 to 17. This fun, interactive learning experience is designed to teach students about law enforcement, its challenges and the philosophy of teamwork.
Learn more about these programs and get involved at Lenexa.com/PolicePrograms.
LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT 7
Serve a community that supports you At the Lenexa Police Department, our staff are trained, supported, and valued. Whether you’re a lateral transfer, a recent college graduate, someone who is interested in a career change or seeking a non-sworn, professional staff position, our law enforcement agency serves a community that is very supportive of our department. We are currently hiring police officers, public service officers and dispatchers to join our team.
Benefits include: • Six weeks of paid parental leave •
10 paid holidays and two paid personal days each year
•
80 hours of paid vacation accrued, increasing annually
•
Affordable health insurance plans
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Paid sick leave
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City paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
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Free or low cost, on-site health center for employees and dependents
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On-site fitness center, lifestyle coaching and health/ wellness management
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Free Employee Assistance Program
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Free membership to the Lenexa Rec Center
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Unused sick leave buyout upon retirement
•
Tuition reimbursement program
VIEW ALL JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT JOINLENEXAPD.COM
FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Gain practical skills through our Police Internship program Designed to give students firsthand experience of the inner workings of law enforcement at the Lenexa Police Department, our 2024 summer internship program is accepting applications for Police Interns. By working alongside experienced officers, interns refine their communication skills, learn from their mentors’ expertise, and establish professional relationships that may open doors to future employment opportunities. We are proud to currently have 16 former interns employed with our department. Apply for a summer internship by March 15, 2024 at JoinLenexaPD.com. Paid internship benefits include: 200 hours of law enforcement training, college credits toward your degree (does not have to be criminal justice) and special considerations for future employment with the Lenexa Police Department. 8 LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT
SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT Sex crimes, domestic violence and crimes against children happen in Lenexa too. When cases arise, highly trained detectives in our Special Victims Unit (SVU) are dedicated to the investigation and support of survivors. The Lenexa Police Department SVU was formed in 2008 to specifically focus on investigating cases involving some of the most vulnerable members in the community like children and elderly adults. From sexual assault and child abuse to human trafficking and other violent crimes, our SVU investigators are assigned nearly 500 cases per year.
The meticulous investigations by our SVU investiagtors — guided by a victim-centered approach — aim to hold offenders accountable for their crime and provide closure to survivors. In addition, the SVU collaborates closely with other agencies and organizations (like the Kansas Department of Children and Families, Johnson County District Attorney’s Office and Sunflower House) involved in victim advocacy to offer comprehensive support services, including counseling, medical assistance, and legal advocacy. “I feel inspired to work special victims’ cases because, often times, victims feel as if they won’t be believed or helped, or even see a way out of
their situation,” said Lenexa Police Department Detective Betsy Peterson. “I want to do all I can to support those victims’ voices and empower them to take back control of their lives. My hope is that all victims become strong survivors.” When the new Lenexa Justice Center opens later this year, we’ll have a modern space for victims to meet SVU detectives in a safe and comfortable environment. SVU cases are reported in many ways ranging from patrol calls for domestic disturbances and welfare checks to referrals from the Kansas Department of Children and Families and Kansas Adult Protective Services.
500 CASES ASSIGNED PER YEAR 3 FULL-TIME LENEXA DETECTIVES
15 to 50 MOST COMMON
AGE RANGE OF VICTIMS
TOP THREE CASE TYPES: •
Domestic battery
•
Department of Children and Families investigations
•
Sexual exploitation of a child
If you or someone you know wants to report a case, it starts by filing a report with the Police Department by either calling 911 or going in person to the police station. A police officer will take the initial report and if appropriate, the case will be assigned to SVU for follow up. Depending on the report being made, the reporting individual can reach out to a nonprofit organization, such as Safehome or MOCSA, for free support through this process. LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT 9
FOR PARENTS & GUARDIANS
9 INTERNET SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS #1 Open communication
#6 Teach cyberbullying awareness
Foster a trusting relationship with your child, encouraging open communication about their online activities.
Educate your child about the negative impact of cyberbullying and encourage them to report any instances immediately.
Establish a safe space for them to share any concerns or uncomfortable experiences encountered online. Start from an early age and make it a regular part of your time together.
Foster a culture of kindness and empathy, emphasizing the importance of treating others online as they would in person.
#2 Set clear guidelines
#7 Encourage critical thinking
Establish age-appropriate guidelines for internet use, including screen time limits and appropriate websites or apps.
Teach your child to think critically about online content, questioning the credibility of information and recognizing potential scams or phishing attempts.
Clearly communicate the rules and expectations regarding online behavior, emphasizing respect and responsibility. #3 Educate on privacy Teach your children about the importance of privacy and the potential risks of sharing personal information online. Instruct them to avoid sharing sensitive details like full names, addresses, phone numbers, and school information on public platforms.
Instill a sense of responsibility for their online actions and the impact they can have on themselves and others. #8 Be a positive role mode Demonstrate responsible online behavior and establish healthy digital habits for your child to emulate. Balance your own screen time and engage in technology use as a family to promote positive interactions.
#4 Use parental controls
#9 Stay involved
Implement parental controls on devices and internet browsers to restrict access to age-inappropriate content.
Actively participate in your child’s online world by joining them in educational games or exploring age-appropriate content together.
Regularly update and customize these controls based on your child’s age and maturity level. #5 Be aware of online activities Pay attention to your child’s online activities, including the websites they visit, social media interactions, and gaming experiences. Familiarize yourself with the platforms your child uses and understand the privacy settings available.
Regularly revisit and adjust internet safety guidelines as your child grows and gains more independence.
By implementing these internet safety tips, parents can play a pivotal role in creating a secure online environment for their children, fostering responsible digital citizenship from an early age.
ATTEND AN IN-PERSON WORKSHOP OR PLAN ONE FOR A GROUP We host a free Internet Safety Workshop for Parents every year. If you’re interested in learning more about this, or offering this class to a larger group, contact Lenexa Police Crime Analyst II Lindsey Calvillo at LCalvillo@lenexa.com.
10 LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT
BEWARE OF SCAMMERS:
THEY’RE AFTER YOUR MONEY, NO MATTER WHO THEY CLAIM TO BE Scammers can appear to be many things: utility companies, computer tech support, a romantic interest, or even the police! But no matter who they claim to be, they are all after one thing —your MONEY. When at all possible, never provide any payment information to anyone over the phone, unless it was a transaction that you initiated, such as calling your doctor’s office to pay a bill. This includes never
providing banking and credit card information, or gift card information. Gifts cards, or pre-paid money cards, such as the kind you buy at a pharmacy or grocery store, are commonly requested by scammers as part of their tactics. No matter the scam, the best advice is to hang up if someone is asking you for any kind of payment.
PICKPOCKETS ARE STILL ACTIVE TODAY
Stay one step ahead of thieves Most reports involve wallets stolen from purses. The two of the most common scenarios: distraction theft and restaurant theft.
Distraction Theft Thieves work in pairs to prey on an unsuspecting shopper at a retail store. They are looking for a woman shopping that has her purse in the child seat part of the shopping cart. One thief will approach the victim and make casual conversation, perhaps about store merchandise. While the victim is engaged in conversation, the accomplice will reach into the victims’ purse and steal her wallet. Both thieves then exit the store and proceed to use the victim’s credit cards at nearby retailers, usually before the victim realizes what has happened.
If y ou and have bee ha a re ve exp n a vi ct sult e , pl rience im of eas d by a fi scam e call ing file a r nancia s or th ef e 913 l .47 port w loss a t Restaurant Theft 7.7 s i 301 th us . A thief will enter a restaurant, looking for purses that have been hung on the back of a chair. The thief may stand behind the chair to steal a wallet out of the purse, or sit in a chair back-to-back to the victim, and reach into the purse. In most cases, the victim is engaged in conversation and eating, and unaware of what is happening to her purse on the back of her chair.
In order to prevent this type of theft, take the following precautions: •If possible, wear a crossbody style bag or keep your wallet on your person. •If you do place your purse in a shopping cart, ensure the purse is closed and place it inside the cart rather than in the child seat area. •When dining, position your purse so that you can see it at all times, or place it against a wall or in a booth that is not easily accessible by others. •Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially if a stranger engages you in conversation. LENEXA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT 11
Lenexa Police Department 12500 W. 87th St. Pkwy. Lenexa, KS 66215
PRSRT MKTG U.S. Postage P A I D Kansas City, MO Permit No. 32
Community Advisory Board Members Eric Arner Jeff Boone Geoff Garcia Milton Jeffrey Rachel Lauren-Parker Mulvihill Alice Batista Vanessa Vaughn West
BEHIND THE BADGE “Working for the Lenexa Police Department is a true honor as it has a long history and reputation set forth by the Officers that have come before me. I am proud to be part of an organization that demonstrates it’s professionalism and courtesy on every call for service.” — Tyler Mantz, Master Police Officer
“I love the people I work with — both dispatchers and officers — and I love how involved we get to be in the calls for service. Officers will always come in and give us closure if it is a hard call and I know a lot of other departments don’t have that kind of relationship so I think I am very lucky to be able to have that.” — Andrea Bargerstock, Dispatcher II
CONTACT US Emergency: 911 Suicide and crisis lifeline: 988 Dispatch non-emergency: 913.477.7301 Administrative office: 913.477.7300 Crime stoppers anonymous tip line: 816.474.8477
Stay connected with us Learn more about our department, career opportunities, programs and services at Lenexa.com/Police. Get additional crime prevention tips emailed to you through My Lenexa News, the City’s general e-newsletter. Subscribe at Lenexa.com/ENews.