Safe Place
SAFE PLACE PROGRAM
Safe Place is a law enforcement sponsored and overseen initiative that was born out of a need to address low reporting of anti-LGBTQ+ crimes and school bullying incidents by increasing public trust in law enforcement and feelings of safety in the community.
This concept was developed by the Seattle Police Department in 2015 to assist the victims of Hate Crimes and Student Bullying and has been adopted by over 285 law enforcement jurisdictions throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. The law enforcement sponsored concept was designed to enhance public education regarding the reporting of hate crimes. The program was expanded in 2018 to include anyone who may have been a victim of a bias-based crime.
It is designed to 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 to investigate.
How it Works
Safe Place is a unique partnership between KCPD and the business community and social service organizations that serve a critical role in assisting the victims of these crimes. Businesses that participate place an easily recognizable decal at their entrances. This symbol is a signal for victims of hate crimes that this location has partnered with the police, will call 911 on their behalf and allow them a safe place stay on the premises until the police arrive.
What is the KCPD’s SAFE PLACE Initiative?
KCPD Safe Place is designed to assist in making communities a safer place to live by forming an active collaboration between the police, businesses, and social organizations.
KCPD is taking this step to let the world know where this department stands on hate and bias crimes. When you see this decal, you can be assured that the business displaying it has partnered with KCPD to provide a safe place for victims of hate crimes. They have committed to and will call 911 on your behalf and allow you to stay on the premises until the police arrive.
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 encompasses everyone and is for ALL hate crimes.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Signing up to become a participant in the KCPD SAFE PLACE Initiative is easy and FREE. After review of your application, a KCPD officer will contact you to set up a time to come to your business, bring you a Safe Place sticker and training materials. The officer will also provide in-person training to allow you to fully understand the program and answer your questions.
What is required of a Safe Place?
KCPD SAFE PLACE participants MUST agree to train their current and future employees, volunteers & staff of the following requirements:
- If a crime victim enters your premises, your staff should call 911 immediately on the victim's behalf.
- Allow the victim to remain in a Safe Place in your business until police arrive*. We ask that that space be accessible to the public and not an employee-only area.
- If the victim leaves prior to police arrival, re-contact 911 and update the operator with the victim's and/or suspect's description and direction of travel.
*As with any emergency situation, your staff should use due care and caution when providing the victims of crime safe shelter while being mindful of the safety of patrons, co-workers, and compliance with company policy.
Who can participate?
Participation is restricted to specific entities such as businesses and/or corporations, and social service organizations that have a space open to the public, and staff present on site for a good portion of the day that can call 911 for the victim. Due to safety concerns, this program is NOT designed or authorized for individual and/or residential use.
How do I sign up?
Either a manager or the owner of a business is permitted to sign their locations up for Safe Place by utilizing the form below.
BECOME A SAFE PLACE
Participation is restricted to specific entities such as businesses and/or corporations, social service organizations, & government agencies that have a space open to the public, located within the Kansas City, Missouri, city limits and with staff present on site during open hours that can call 911 for the victim.