MSHP News Release - DWI Enforcement Projects Scheduled For Troop A

Captain Robert L. Powell, commanding officer of Troop A, Lee’s Summit, announces during the remainder of September 2013, troopers will be conducting DWI saturation enforcement programs in Troop A that will include the entire 13-county area of West Central Missouri. Troopers assigned to the saturations will concentrate their efforts on highways which have been found to have a higher number of alcohol-related crashes and enforcement contacts.

In addition, troopers will be conducting sobriety checkpoints in Clay and Ray counties. At the checkpoints, drivers will be stopped at a static location. Upon contact with the officers, drivers will be asked to produce their driver’s license and proof of insurance. Normally, the wait at a checkpoint is less than five minutes. Unless officers suspect drinking or other violations, most drivers will not be asked to exit their vehicles.

The sobering fact is that impaired driving contributes to 28 percent of all Missouri fatal traffic crashes.  In 2012, 229 people were killed and 3,869 injured in crashes involving an impaired driver. That’s why the Missouri State Highway Patrol will join other Missouri law enforcement agencies to crack down on drunk driving throughout the month of September. 

The Patrol encourages motorists and watercraft operators to protect themselves by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint and everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life and Wear It!!!

Program on Missouri State Penitentiary

Kander Announces Program on Missouri State Penitentiary



Jefferson City, Mo. — Secretary of State Jason Kander today announced a program documenting life behind bars at the now-closed Missouri State Penitentiary. Hosted by the Missouri State Archives, a division of Kander’s office, historian and author Mark Schreiber will speak about his new book, Shanks to Shakers: Reflections of the Missouri State Penitentiary.

On Thursday, September 19, 2013, at 7 p.m., the public is invited to enjoy an evening with Schreiber as he shares highlights from his book and stories from his years of work at Missouri’s most notable penitentiary.
Schreiber began his 42-year career in criminal justice in 1968 in Jefferson City as an employee with the Missouri State Penitentiary. Although professional opportunities took him away from the facility, he eventually returned to serve as the last deputy warden before it closed in 2004. Schreiber collected many stories and artifacts from the prison Time magazine once called “the bloodiest 47 acres in America.”
Shanks to Shakers examines rare historical artifacts associated with life behind the penitentiary’s walls, including photographs, postcards, books, prison-made weapons, paintings, woodcarvings and even salt and pepper shakers once sold in the prison gift shop.

The Missouri State Archives is the official repository for state documents of permanent historic value, and is located at 600 West Main Street in Jefferson City. All programs at the Archives are free of charge and open to the public, with seating available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more information on this and other programming at the Archives, contact Emily Luker at (573) 526-5296 or emily.luker@sos.mo.gov.

North Carolina Truck Driver Receives Minor Injuries In Early Morning Rollover

Around 1:45am this morning Missouri State Highway Patrol along with Bates County EMS responded to a 1 vehicle roll over accident on Northbound I-49 around Mile Marker 124.2. The accident occured when the 2012 Freightliner driven by Oakley A. Meade 21, of Fayetteville, NC was attempting to park on the shoulder of Northbound I-49 and traveled off the right side of the roadway. The downward angle of the embankment and the weight of the trailer caused the vehicle and trailer to overturn. The right side of the refrigerated trailer was damaged and approximatley 40,000 lbs of frozen chicken was exposed. The accident was assisted by The Bates County Sheriffs Department as well a The Department of Health. The driver was taken by ambulance to Bates County Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. The truck was totaled and is being towed now by Gilkey Tow of Rich Hill.

Weather Update: Autumn In The Air For A Few Days

October Is Crime Prevention Month!

The Missouri State Highway Patrol joins the National Crime Prevention Council in observing October 2013 as National Crime Prevention Month. It is always smart to keep safety in mind, no matter where you are. Missourians can help decrease crime with these simple habits: Anticipate potential crime situations; recognize when there is a problem; and, take action to remove or reduce the risk of a crime occurring. The Patrol urges residents and visitors to be alert and think safety!

Identity Theft:

Once you realize you’ve become a victim of identity theft:

* Notify the credit bureaus, your creditors, your bank, and law enforcement.

* Notify the local postal inspector if you suspect an identity thief has filed a change of address with the post office or has used the mail to commit credit or bank fraud.

* In dealing with the authorities and financial institutions, keep a log of all conversations, including dates, times, names, and phone numbers. Note the time spent and any expenses incurred. Confirm conversations in writing. Send correspondence by certified mail (return receipt requested). Keep copies of all letters and documents.

* If someone is using your driver’s license number from your stolen checks, you may need to contact the Missouri Department of Revenue’s Fraud Unit.

* If you have a passport, notify the passport office in writing to be on the lookout for anyone ordering a new passport fraudulently.

For more detailed information, the Patrol has included a brochure on identity theft on its Web site: www.mshp.dps.mo.gov. (Select “brochures” under the “publications” heading.)
Home:

* Make sure you have good locks on all exterior doors--at least dead-bolt locks with a minimum of one-inch throw.

* Make sure your windows have strong locks.

* Use the locks you have.

* Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available bars or locks, or, put a wooden dowel or broom handle in the door track.

* Porches, entrances, and outside areas should be well lighted.

* Trim any bushes or trees that hide doors or windows. Maintain your yard and keep ladders and tools inside when they are not in use.

* Don’t hide a house key under the doormat or in a flowerpot. That’s the first place a burglar will look! Give a key to a trusted neighbor instead.

*Consider an alarm system.

In Missouri, a burglary occurred every 12.4 minutes in 2012. (Statistic from Missouri State Highway Crime In Missouri report.)


Car:

* Always lock your car and take the keys, even if you plan to return in a short time. One motor vehicle theft occurred every 32.3 minutes. (Statistic from Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime In Missouri report.)

* Keep your car in good running condition to avoid breakdowns.

* If your car breaks down, raise the hood or tie a white cloth to the street side door handle. Stay in your locked car. Call *55 on your cellular telephone to reach the nearest Missouri State Highway Patrol headquarters and ask for assistance. If you don’t have a cell phone with you, wait in your car. If someone stops and offers assistance, ask them to make the call for you.

* NEVER pick up hitchhikers.

* Park in well-lighted areas that will remain lighted until you return to your car. Be particularly alert when using enclosed parking garages.


Children:

* Teach your children how to use the telephone properly in an emergency situation.

*Make sure your children know their name, address, phone number, and your work number.

* Teach your children to walk and play with friends, not alone.

* Tell your children to refuse rides or gifts from someone they don’t know well.

*Teach your children to tell a trusted adult immediately if anyone, even a teacher or close relative, touches them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.

* Remind your children to leave the door locked if they are home alone. They shouldn’t answer the door if you’re not there.

* Teach your children never to tell anyone they are home alone, especially over the phone.

Parents are encouraged to listen to their children’s worries and problems. Talk to them. Make sure you know where your children are going, who they will be with, and when they will return. Know their friends’ names and phone numbers.

There are other ways to prevent crime. Education through your schools and Neighborhood Watch groups are good first steps. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has public information and education officers assigned to each troop headquarters and the Division of Drug and Crime Control. These troopers are available to present a variety of programs to civic groups, church groups, schools, and companies. Contact the nearest Patrol troop headquarters if you would like a safety or related program presented to your group.

Remember: Anticipate ... Recognize ... Take action.

REMINDER: OSCAR MAYER WIENERMOBILE‏ COMING TO BUTLER

The World Famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is coming to Butler on September 13 from 2 -5pm. The unique looking vehicle will be on display at the Country Mart Grocery Store here in Butler. Everyone is encouraged to come out and check out this famous vehicle.

Press Release: Bates County Sheriff's Office Free CCW Class For Bates County Women

The Bates County Sheriff's Office will be hosting a free CCW Class for Bates County Women. The Class will be on September 28th at 8am. The class will be held at the Bates County Annex Building at 11 W Dakota. Participants will still be required to provide a revolver and a semi auto with 50 rounds of ammo. Class size is limited to the first 30 women that intend to get their CCW permit. You must be a Bates County Resident for this free class. This specific class is for Women only. If you do not have the required guns there will be guns available for rent to all participants. If interested please call 660-679-3232

Obituary - Mila N. Lawrence

Mila N. Lawrence, 77, Lee's Summit, Missouri, died Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, Missouri. Burial will be in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice House, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64114.