The small town of Platte City, Missouri, just north of Kansas City is the setting of the latest story in a growing police surveillance state. According to the ACLU blog, it was here that city officials set up a camera and trained it into the backyard of a resident, for reasons that are yet somewhat hazy. [Read more…]
In Missouri, Marijuana Legalization Could Save, Generate Millions
Although there will be no marijuana legalization choices on this years November ballot, a new report shows that it could be in the state’s best interest to get one on there as soon as possible. The report began when such a measure was plausible, and before Show-Me Cannabis, the state’s legalization campaign leaders, had to abandon their efforts for a 2012 ballot. [Read more…]
St. Louis Cracks Down on Kids, Gangs to Stop Violence
In response to a particularly violent summer, St. Louis officials have cracked down on problem spots, kids, and even clothing in an effort to keep things calm. Now, they are already reporting some success in the battle, boasting a decrease in violent crime in just the last 30 days. [Read more…]
Springfield Citizens Petition to Decriminalize Marijuana
Update: Via MPP, the Springfield city council voted to block efforts to get this on the ballot, despite the certified and legitimate petitions by Show Me Cannabis. Here’s hoping they have some legal recourse against this blatantly anti-democratic political maneuvering.
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A petition to decriminalize possession of a small amount of marijuana has received enough signatures and will now move forward to the City Council for consideration. According to the Springfield News-Leader, the petition was certified by City Clerk Brendat Cirtin with 2,132 signatures. [Read more…]
DEA Raids KC MO Home of Innocent Couple
In a growing trend of what police agencies have grown accustomed to calling an “isolated incident” or a “tragic mistake,” DEA agents raided the Kansas City home of a law abiding couple this week. [Read more…]
Residents React Strongly to Proposed License Plate Scanners
Is the tide finally turning against the onslaught of government surveillance by license plate scanners? [Read more…]
St. Louis County Crime Lab Sees 6-8 Month Delays on Drug Cases
When the police find drugs on someone, they can’t just use their experience and best judgment to push charges. While this might be good enough for an initial arrest, the prosecutor is going to want hard evidence—namely, lab test results confirming the substance as a drug. But in St. Louis County, there is a long wait for such test results, causing charges and treatment to be delayed. [Read more…]
Could Task Force Help Non-Fatal Shooting Prosecutions in KC?
Missouri is experiencing a record number of shootings and a wave of victims unwilling to cooperate. The Kansas City Star questions whether a task force, like the one set up to dramatically impact domestic violence cases in the 1980s, could help change the direction of this growing problem. [Read more…]
Missouri Racial Profiling Law Needs Changes
Twelve years ago, the state of Missouri began requiring police agencies to collect data on the race of those pulled over and arrested by police. Now a group of people and organizations including the ACLU are demanding lawmakers give the law more teeth and require more than just the submission of data. [Read more…]
“No Violence Alliance” To Focus on KC MO’s Worst Offenders
Kansas City’s worst criminals may want to watch their backs this summer as local police crackdown on those known to bring about the most violence. Mayor Sly James announced a new initiative called the KC No Violence Alliance (KC NoVA) this past week along with Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker and Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forte. [Read more…]