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Safe Place

SAFE PLACE PROGRAM

Hate and bias based crimes are typically under-reported. This can be for a lot of reasons; embarrassment, feeling like it is just part of life, or the fear that the police will not take their incident seriously. 

We want to control what we can and alleviate that last fear. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department will treat you and your incident with care, dignity, and respect. 

The Safe Place Program was created to start bridging that gap between victims of hate crimes and the police. KCPD is taking this step to let the world know where this department stands on hate and bias crimes.  

We are dedicated to supporting quality public safety, being a full partner with other parts of the criminal justice system, assisting witnesses and crime victims throughout the process and delivering respectful police services by treating people the way they want to be treated.      

This program, while it utilizes a rainbow, encompasses everyone.

This program is for ALL hate crimes.

Within the City of Kansas City protected classes includes:  Race, Color, Religion, National origin, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Disability (RSMO 557.035. Hate Offenses)

The Definition of Hate Crimes

Although the term "Hate Crime" is the most frequently used term throughout the U.S., the true definition may differ depending on the jurisdiction and/or state you reside in. In the State of Missouri, the term is Hate Offense.

557.035. Hate offenses — provides enhanced penalties for motivational factors in certain offenses.

  1. For all violations of section 565.054 or 565.090, subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of section 569.100, or subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), (6), (7) or (8) of subsection 1 of section 571.030, which the state believes to be knowingly motivated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or disability of the victim or victims, the state may charge the offense or offenses under this section, and the violation is a class D felony.
  2. For all violations of section 565.056; subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of section 569.090; subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of section 569.120; section 569.140; or section 574.050; which the state believes to be knowingly motivated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or disability of the victim or victims, the state may charge the offense or offenses under this section, and the violation is a class E felony.
  3. The court shall assess punishment in all of the cases in which the state pleads and proves any of the motivating factors listed in this section.

You do not need to know what category your incident belongs in to report a hate crime.

Call 911 if you are the victim of a crime.

Call 911 immediately and advise the dispatcher of what happened, if you believe it was bias or a hate crime what was said and done, any injuries you have, and a description and direction of travel of the suspect(s).  If safe to do so, remain at the scene until police arrive or notify the 911 operator of your new location.

 What is the KCPD’s SAFE PLACE Initiative? 

This concept was developed by the Seattle Police Department in 2015 to assist the victims of Hate Crimes and Student Bullying.  The Safe Place logo is a trademarked logo and owned by the Seattle Police Department. The logo is a law enforcement sponsored concept that enhances public education regarding the reporting of hate crimes.  This is achieved by forming an active collaboration between the police, businesses, social organizations & schools.  KCPD Safe Place is designed to assist in making communities a safer place to live and has been adopted by over 285 law enforcement jurisdictions throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. 

It helps stop the victim mentality, and says to any victim: You will be heard, you will be treated with care, dignity, and respect from the business you enter to find help in, as well as from the Police Officers who respond out to investigate.

What are my Responsibilities to Join?                                                                                                           

First of all, Safe Place is FREE to join!  There are responsibilities to become a member of KCPD Safe Place.  The responsibility is simple, quick and just requires you, as the manager or owner, to train/educate your employees/staff & management to do two things:  

  1. If a victim of any crime (especially a hate crime) enters your premises, call 911 immediately.
  2. Allow the victim to remain on your premise until police arrive.

If the victim leaves prior to police arrival, call back 911 and provide a physical description of the victim and/or suspect(s), direction of travel and any injuries that you may have observed.  As with any emergency situation your staff should use due care & caution when providing the victims of crime safe shelter, while being mindful of the safety of your patrons, co-workers and compliance with existing company policies.   There is NO EXTRA LIABILITY to your business as we are not asking you to do anything you would not already do if a victim comes into your business.