freeing officers to respond to 911-driven work while improving outcomes for residents.“It’s amazing what happens when the right expertise arrives at the right moment,” Kuehl says. With staffing stabilized, measurable gains followed: compared to the same period last year, overall crime is down 21%, traffic stops are up 132%, and citations are up 106%—reflecting a targeted response to the region-wide surge in dangerous driving. Looking ahead, Kuehl plans to keep shifting from reactive to proactive policing—expanding traffic enforcement, building the K-9 team, and deploying data from one of the region’s most credentialed crime analysts to direct resources where they can do the most good. Community outreach isn’t a silo in Raytown; it’s a stance.“Every officer is part of our outreach program,” Kuehl says. “Every call and every coffee stop is a chance to build trust.” PARKS & RECREATION: QUALITY OF LIFE AS STRATEGY Raytown maintains 174 acres of parkland with a lean crew of nine full-time staff—stretching dollars and sweat to keep community life vibrant. Recent signature projects include the Terry Copeland Park transformation at 53rd & Raytown Road: a million-dollar LWCF grant funded demolition and redevelopment, including a new dog park, as well as $2M in federal funding for the project, with Phase 2 now queued for a shelter house, splash pad, playground, and restroom facility. 56 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11
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