Wichita Police Seek Faster Building Closures for Crime

Wichita Police are advocating for revised city ordinances to expedite the closure of buildings associated with persistent criminal activity. The push, led by Police Chief Joe Sullivan, gained momentum after a fatal shooting occurred this past Tuesday at a North Broadway apartment building. Currently, the department requires three confirmed incidents before taking action against a property.

Sullivan stressed that simply making arrests is insufficient if problematic locations continue to generate serious calls for service. The North Broadway building, for instance, has a history of numerous citations and has been a long-standing issue for the community. The proposed changes aim to enable swift rectification of violations or the closure of such establishments.

This initiative draws parallels to the positive impact observed after the demolition of the former Regency Inn on West Kellogg. Business owners in that area reported reduced squatting, loitering, and crime, allowing them to focus more on their operations and customers. Employees also noted increased safety during late-night hours. The city council is now considering these ordinance revisions.