Plaza Incident Recap

8/9/2019 Plaza Incident Recap

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M E M O R A N D U M

April 11, 2010

TO: Major Wayne Stewart, Commander, Central Patrol Division

FROM: Capt. Donna Greenwell, Watch III, ADC

SUBJECT: Plaza Incident

On 4/10/10, at 1800 hours, we responded to the Plaza with TOPS officers, Watch I 30

sector, Watch III 30 sector, 3 buyback officers, and 5 off-duty officers to assist the Plaza. This

was a total of 18 officers and 3 sergeants. Prior to Saturday night Sgt. Griggs and Capt.

Greenwell met with the Juvenile Unit, Robbery Unit, and Lisa Morris to assure all available

strategies were discussed. Sgt. Griggs also had several meetings with Sean OBrian, director of

security for the Plaza, and kept in contact with him.

This was in response to a building problem with juveniles on the Plaza. Earlier in the

year the Cinemark Theatre lowered its age requirement and juveniles began to hang out

around the theatre. As time went on the number began to increase and they began hanging

out throughout the Plaza instead of just the movie theatre. We learned this past week that the

crowds were growing due to area High Schools organizing gatherings through the use of Twitter

and Facebook. This incident was posted on Facebook prior to midnight on Saturday. We were

told that Raytown and Westport High Schools were some of the schools involved.

We responded with the objective of being visible and breaking up groups prior to them

becoming too large to handle. As the night went on the juveniles in and around the Plaza

began to increase. At approximately 2100 hours the number of juveniles significantly increased

and were estimated to be somewhere around 700 900 in number, with some as young as 11

years of age. Officers were deployed on foot by blocks in an attempt to disperse the crowds

and to keep everyone moving. As fights began to break out, stampedes occurred, and multiple

assaults were being reported additional officers were requested from East Patrol and Metro

Patrol. 3 additional wagons, 22 additional officers, and 2 sergeants responded to assist. The

following were issues noted:

Crowds began to gather in front of businesses, blocking the entrances and exits,and would not move. Officers were deployed on foot to move crowds.


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Traffic was at a standstill and traffic was requested to assist with traffic flow. Helicopter responded after numerous crowds began to run and numerous fight

calls were received. He spent at least 3 hours overhead assisting officers with

their movement and following the crowds.

The Classic Cup, 301 West 47th was a central focus and had numerous largedisturbances in front of the business. Several complaints were received from

patrons at this location and their fear of being hurt.

We responded to PF Changs to assist with clearing juveniles out of therestrooms. They were harassing customers and blocking the foyer of the

business.

During one of the large disturbances along 47th street a knife was located lyingon the sidewalk in the middle of the crowd.

As the juveniles were circling the Plaza they were grabbing flowers, flower pots,and damaging various greenery around the Plaza.

A Plaza medic responded to treat a 16 year old girl who got run over by one ofthe stampedes. She had several abrasions but was not seriously hurt.

Citizens were continually stopping officers and complaining of the crowds, thatthey were being pushed and shoved, and that the kids were trying to intimidate

them.

Plaza Security had to assist with walking patrons to their vehicles due to thenumber of request for escorts due to fear of their safety.

The foot/traffic flow became so bad that the Horse and Buggy Operation had toclose due to cancellations along with the inability to function.

Every time there was interaction with any of the juveniles obscenities wereflowing freely along with disrespect not only for authority but anyone they

came into contact with.

At approximately 2200 hours the situation was at a flash point and a mass exit ofpatrons was observed due to the disorder going on.


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As a couple exited the Cheesecake Factory, dressed in tuxedo and formal dressfor prom, the female was shoved into the fountain by a group of juveniles who

then ran and not apprehended.

As the flash point hit officers had to deploy pepper spray to disperse the crowdsto minimize injury to citizens. Numerous MK-46s were emptied along with 12-

13 MK-9s being emptied to get the crowd to move.

Numerous businesses contacted police in regards to wanting to makecomplaints. Also, citizens from out of town asked officers on several occasions

if this was normal or stated they would not come back.

In a parking garage at Nichols and Pennsylvania, a husband and wife were jumped by approximately 15 juveniles. They were assaulted and then the

suspects took the husbands glasses and the wifes purse.

At approximately 2230 hours the crowd of juveniles dispersed from the Plaza and began

gathering in Mill Creek Park and in Winsteads Parking lot. As officers were moving into the

park they thought shots were being fired and the crowd began to run. It was learned by

officers in the park that it was only fireworks. As the crowd was running a large disturbance

broke out in the parking lot of Winsteads. As officers were dispersing the crowd a juvenile was

observed lying in the parking lot with severe head injuries. It appeared he was struck on the

head and his jaw was broken. After this incident the crowd began to leave the area.

Winsteads also closed after the Agg. Assault and did not stay open until 1:00 a.m.

One of the largest obstacles for the officers was catching up to suspects or juveniles

observed creating problems due to the large crowds. Another problem observed was the fact

most of them were under 17 years of age and the majority of the problems were prior to

midnight, therefore; we did not have any charges that JJC would accept. Although 3 or 4 strong

armed robberies were reported only one victim was located. It was also reported that a male

was drug in an alley and being beat up but he could not be located. In total we had 1 strong

armed robbery, CRN #10-257512, 1 aggravated assault, CRN #10-25726, and recovered one

fake gun along with a knife, CRN #10-25735. 6 juveniles were detained for the curfew and their

parents responded to pick them up. On top of what officers observed we handled

approximately 35 calls for service ranging from disturbances, suspicious parties, to large crowds

fighting. It should be noted that Plaza Security videotaped the incident from their cameras and

will provide us with the video.


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Leading up to this incident the crowds of juveniles began showing up on the Plaza on

Saturday nights. Over the past 3 weekends they have become more aggressive and assaultive.

Last weekend the following occurred:

On 04/03/2010 at 2258 hours off-duty officers working the Plaza called in a largedisturbance, involving 300-500 juveniles, in the area of JC Nichols and Pennsylvania.

Numerous CPD officers, as well as several MPD, responded and found multiple large

groups of juveniles in several areas of the Plaza. Many fights were observed and

numerous gang signs were displayed. Several times officers heard individuals yelling

Five Ace Deuce as they ran from officers. Pepper spray foggers were deployed on

several groups of fighting individuals.

During the disturbance, information was received about a party armed in the area. Acar check was conducted on the 17 year old suspect at JC Nichols and Pennsylvania anda firearm was found (CCW arrest 10-23878). Several juveniles were taken into custody

for fighting and several for interfering with officers that were making arrests. All were

released to parents.

On 04/04/2010 at 0048 hours another disturbance on the Plaza, at the CheesecakeFactory, was reported involving a large group of juveniles. Several were detained and

parents called. The parents were issued GOS for curfew violations.

On 04/04/2010 at 0105 hours a walk in report was made about a vehicle break in, with afirearm stolen, from 47

thand Jefferson.

The merchants were very upset with the problems and were concerned that continuedgatherings would hurt business. They were particularly upset with the movie theater

that seems to be the hub of the gathering activity.

I have attached some bullet points with regard to a plan of action for next Saturday night

and will complete a plan for your review.

Capt. Donna Greenwell


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Chief Corwin,

Submitted for your information and review. Center Zone had one Captain, three Sergeants and

eighteen additional Officers on hand to address this situation and anticipating a crowd of 200-300.

Major Stewart has a plan to address future situations. I am also devising a plan to handle this type of

situation, should this type of flash mob arise in other parts of our city.

I believe our officers held problems to a minimum and we will continue to provide security to

prevent disorder.

Deputy Chief Cy Ritter

Commander

Patrol Bureau

Plaza Incident Recap

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