Westport Safety Act Protocol

Westport’s new security plan, which includes age-restricted areas and metal detectors, went into full effect on Sept. 7 to ensure public safety in the area. Westport officials stated that the restrictions and plans would be active from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday through Sunday in a press release on Aug. 31.

The enhanced security process will be routine for those who regularly attend events such as concerts and sporting events in the area, according to the Westport Safety First act. Patrons will be required to walk through a metal detector, empty their pockets and their bags or purses — which will be confiscated if larger than 8.5 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches — will be checked.

The recent weapon screenings come in response to the final 2017 KCPD annual report recording over 150 homicides in the downtown area in and around Westport.

The four mandatory security checkpoints will be located near the parking garages and other entrances at intersections Westport and Mill, Westport and Broadway, Pennsylvania and Archibald and on Pennsylvania Street.

Quinton Lucas, Kansas City mayoral candidate and council member, tweeted Friday about the plan, stating that he supports the effort for public safety, but is unsure about the plan’s practicality.

“More than anything, I hope everybody can be safe during a night out. I’m not sure this is the way to do it but we’ll see how it works,” Lucas said in response to an article posted by the Kansas City Star about the act.

Critics have questioned the practicality of the plan due to the inclusion of a 19-page list of over 239 prohibited items, some of which include violins, balloons, stuffed animals and baby carriers.

If found with any of the items, security guards will do a further search and will confiscate the prohibited items. However, people are permitted to bring certain items on the list into the restricted areas if given special instructions from the on-duty security guards before entering.

“I think [the new screenings are] ridiculous,”  senior Camille Vandergriff said. “I mean we do have to have this for our safety — we do have to be protected — but I think it will deter a lot of people, especially if you don’t want to go through the screening process where you can’t even bring mascara or like there has to be at least a 25 percent chance of rain in order to bring an umbrella, it’s just ridiculous.”

The KCMO City Council has been cultivating the list and the plan for several years now. In December of 2017, the council began the plan after agreeing to instal sidewalks and block off certain streets in the district from cars to promote pedestrian safety.

And after a violence-free Labor Day weekend, residents are hopeful about results.

“I personally have never felt unsafe at Westport — that being said, I’m always very conscious to stay near my friends at all times — while I don’t feel unsafe, I’m certainly more aware of my surroundings,” East alumni and Westport resident Matt Terry said. “[The plan is] new and will have its kinks to work out, but overall I think it will make Westport a safer place for everyone.”