LKPD Newsletter January 2026

January 18, 2026

Welcome to the first City Beat of 2026. It’s been a year since we started publishing and I hope you enjoy getting to know your police department and seeing the incredible work the officers and professional staff are doing to keep our community safe.

This edition will tell the story of a decades old sexual predator identified using genetic genealogy, the same technology that identified the Golden State killer. For more than twenty-five years, the suspect evaded law enforcement and through the work of Detective Amy Price, he was finally identified and charged. It is a true crime story that is an example of how technology and dogged detective work brought justice for the survivors of this horrific crime.

You all know that I love a crazy idea and you are going to read about how Officer Anthony Harvey Jr. had one that he thought might just work. Officer Harvey wondered if he could change the way troubled youth look at police officers in a similar way his mind was changed when he was a teen. In Harvey’s case, it was a school resource officer. This idea involves Harvey mentoring youth at the juvenile day school. As I listened to him tell me about the program, I was so impressed with his heart for service to a group of young people that many in our community don’t even think about.

We just finished up the College Football Bowl season so what better time to introduce you to our very own Corporal Maurice Henry. What does one have to do with the other, you say? Well, Cpl. Henry is a former KU Football player who played for the Jayhawks in the 2008 Orange Bowl; a game the Jayhawks won. Cpl. Henry takes on the dreaded five questions so you know it will be good. His answers will be just as sweet as the Orange Bowl win, at least in my opinion.

February 26 marks the return of the Douglas County Valor Awards. This is an opportunity to recognize the heroic work of the first responders in our county and provides an opportunity for the community to not only eat dinner with these heroes but also to thank them. Mark your calendars and get your tickets to this special and memorable event.

As always, give us some feedback on what you think of our stories about your police department. Thank you for the honor of being your Lawrence Police Chief.

More Than a Uniform: In Memory of Violet

By Laura McCabe LKPD Communications Manager

In April 2010, Lieutenant Amy Rhoads welcomed her daughter Violet into the world; one of the happiest days of her life. The devastating news that Violet was born with Acute Myeloid Leukemia came too soon. For six months, Rhoads and her husband—also a police officer—endured NICU stays, treatment visits, and tragedy they had never seen or experienced.

When Violet passed away in October of that year, the world stopped But the Lawrence Police Department didn’t just send flowers; they moved in.

“I don’t know how he found out,” Rhoads recalls, “but Violet passed away at five in the morning, and by 6:30 am, Chief Khatib was at my door. He told us, ‘I’ve got you. Don’t worry about work. We’ve got you taken care of.’”

The support that followed was overwhelming. While the Rhoads family was in the hospital, a crew of officers showed up to landscape their yard so they could return to beauty instead of chores. Officers surrounded them in full uniform during the service like a protective circle of support, not as coworkers, but as a family “standing watch” when Amy and her husband could not.

“They hovered over us with their love when we were at our lowest,” Rhoads says. People often see the badge before they see the person wearing it. This is the part of policing that doesn’t make headlines, but it’s what carries you through the darkest days.

VIOLET

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“Policing

isn’t about being hardened, it’s about having the courage to care and still show up every day.”

– Lt. Amy Rhoads

New Leads in Decades-Old Case

By Laura McCabe LKPD Communications Manager

“It’s been 9,257 days since David James Zimbrick sexually assaulted a 7-year-old girl in Naismith Park and when the United States Marshals Service arrested him yesterday,” Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart announced during a press conference held at LKPD Headquarters on December 30, 2025. “Thanks to a very dedicated detective and the assistance of our Investigations Unit, we hope he will never be able to hurt another child.”

Today, that public announcement about the arrest of the 58-year-old Raytown, Missouri man doesn’t mark the end of Detective Amy Price’s persistent pursuit for justice. It marks the beginning of a newly expanded investigation.

Price responded to the call back in 2000, as a young investigator and appreciates the renewed attention of the case.

“It does feel like a huge accomplishment, but it’s really for the victims and their families. It’s not about me. It’s about their well-being, it really is,” says Price.

A Trail of Cold Cases

The series of crimes began on August 25, 2000, when a 7-year-old girl and two other children were approached by a man in Naismith Valley Park. Offering $20 for help finding a lost item, the man lured the girl into a wooded area and sexually assaulted her. During the initial investigation, retired Detective Mike McAtee collected a cigarette butt at the scene—still smoldering. While a DNA profile was extracted and entered into the national CODIS database, it yielded no matches to identify a potential suspect.

In May 2003, a similar assault occurred in the same park involving a 10-year-old boy. DNA from the second case matched the first, but the identity of the predator remained a mystery.

At the time, detectives believed at least 5 cases were linked to the same suspect but didn’t have DNA samples to prove a connection. Still, they knew a serial sex predator was on the loose.

The breakthrough was made possible by a smoldering cigarette butt collected decades ago and the revolutionary science of forensic genetic genealogy.

NEW LEADS

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Excellence in Standards: The Lawrence Kansas Police Department Achieves Dual Accreditation

By Laura McCabe LKPD Communication Manager

The Lawrence Kansas Police Department (LKPD) was awarded dual accreditation from both the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and the Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (KLEAP).

What Does Dual Accreditation Mean? Accreditation is not just a title; it is a comprehensive audit of how a police department operates. To earn the status, an agency must meet hundreds of standards that represent the gold standard in modern policing—both

nationally/internationally (CALEA) and within the state of Kansas (KLEAP).

The process involves three distinct areas:

1. Policy Excellence: Ensuring the department policies align with the highest legal and ethical standards.

2. Proof of Compliance: Providing documentation and data to show that those policies are actually being followed in the field.

3. External Review: Inviting outside experts to scrutinize every aspect of operations, from evidence handling to use-of-force training.

A Team Effort and a Solid Foundation Preparing for the complex

Deputy Chief Breaks Down 2025 Crime Numbers

By Deputy Chief Adam Heffley

As 2025 ends we can start to look at local crime data reported to the department. The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data has been

one of the measures we’ve reported on throughout the year. If digging into stats is your thing, those monthly numbers can be found in the department’s Monthly Performance Report available on the Police Department website.

review process and achieving dual accreditation is not a quick or easy task, “We had an advantage because we had a solid policy already in place,” Deputy Chief Anthony Brixius noted. Because the agency already utilizes a modern policy service, most of their daily operations were already consistent with the required standards.

To tackle the paperwork and data entry required for the final assessment, the department formed an Accreditation Team, which allowed the agency to meet the standards efficiently.

Why It Matters to the Community Accreditation ensures that:

Later this year the Federal Bureau of Investigation will produce a report that looks at the national, state, and regional trends. For now, we can use this information to see how we are doing locally, at least compared to the previous month or previous year.

Of note in the 2025 NIBRS Group A numbers is a 15% reduction in the number of Crimes Against Property. Crimes Against Property is just what it sounds like -- Theft, Burglary, Forgery, etc. A slight decrease in Crimes Against Person was noted between 2024 and 2025. These types of incidents include Assaults, Sex Offenses, and Homicides.

Lastly, an increase in reported Group A Crimes Against Society was reported which includes things like, Drug Offenses, Animal Cruelty Offenses, and Weapons Law Violations. The increase in these reports was substantial

• The department is following best practices to keep both officers and citizens safe.

• There is a high level of transparency and accountability in how the department is managed.

• The agency remains compliant with the most current Kansas laws and regulations.

It’s confirmation of what Deputy Chief Anthony Brixius says he sees daily, “Accreditation is a testament to the hard work of the men and women of the Lawrence Kansas Police Department and a promise to the community that the people managing their safety take pride in their service.”

at 51%, but the total number of reported incidents is much less than the other two types we’re reporting. So, what does this mean?

That is a hard question to answer and one that criminologists and economists love to pick apart, argue over, and write about in leather bound books. More reported Crimes Against Society could be an indication that officers are out doing more proactive drug investigations in 2025. It could mean that community members are calling the police about drug use they see at a higher rate. It could also be as simple as more people are using drugs, gambling or committing weapons violations.

In reality, it’s probably some combination of many of these factors and we may learn a little more when the national numbers are reported.

K9 Shadow

Translated by Corporal Josh Doncouse

My name is Shadow, and while I might look like a serious professional in my vest, I’m pretty silly most of the time. My partner, Corporal Josh Doncouse, can attest to that. But, let me tell you—we make one heck of a team.

If you see me on the streets, you’ll recognize my unique prance. You’ll know it when you see it. I call enthusiasm. Some of my colleagues laugh.

I’m also pretty vocal. If there’s a job to be done, you’ll hear me loud and clear because I simply can’t contain my excitement!

One of my proudest moments was when Corporal Josh took me to the bus station to sniff all the luggage. It’s the same game we play all over town. I look for a certain smell and if I find it, I sit and stay, then get a treat. This time, not long after I sat down, sooo many people gathered with all kinds of pets and “good boys”, I knew something

was up. Later, they took my picture and I was in the newspaper and all over social media. Corporal Josh says the suitcase that smelled funny had more than 30 pounds of illegal substances inside. (Whatever that is?) It was a lot of fun and the snacks were yummy.

Speaking of snacks, food is my absolute favorite thing in the world, but

I have a very sensitive stomach. This leads to some ... fragrant experiences in the patrol car. Sorry, Corporal Josh! It’s a good thing he likes riding with the windows down.

Life as a K9 is a lot of fun. My only complaint is that my best friend Maverick can’t come with us every day. Corporal Josh says the police department doesn’t allow cats on patrol. That’s ok. I tell him all about our adventures when I get home. I’m just happy to have my partner by my side.

Community Invited to Attend 2026 Valor Awards

By L.J. Lockhart

When first responders were called to a bridge where a man was threatening to jump, the outcome was far from certain. Traffic was stopped, the scene was secured, and one officer quietly approached and began talking with him. There were no commands or raised voices—only calm conversation, patience, and time. After several minutes, the man stepped back from the edge and agreed to accept help. Because of that officer’s compassion and restraint, a life was saved.

Stories like this—quiet moments where courage takes the form of humanity—will be shared at this year’s Douglas County KS First Responder Valor Awards Ceremony

The annual event honors first responders whose actions often go unseen, yet make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others and in the strength of our community. These

are the moments that don’t always make headlines, but leave a lasting impact on the people involved and the families they touch.

Recipients of awards for valor are determined through a thoughtful committee process, ensuring each recognition reflects careful consideration and group input. But the heart of the evening belongs to the stories themselves—and to the opportunity for Douglas County residents to show appreciation, stand in support, and say thank you in person.

The Douglas County Valor Awards will be held on February 26, 2026, at Abe and Jake’s Landing. A social hour begins at 5 p.m., dinner will be served at 6 p.m., with awards to follow. Individual tickets are $25, and six-seat tables are available for $150 Tickets can be purchased through the event link.

https://2026valorawards.eventbrite. com

1. What is your superpower? I’m really fast for an old man

2. Tell us a weird fact you happen to know for no reason. Reindeer eyes turn blue during the winter.

3. What would be your walk-up song? Put on - Jeezy

4. What is your favorite place in Lawrence? Encore. The food is amazing

5. What do you most enjoy about your job? I most enjoy interacting with the citizens of Lawrence and how unpredictable the job is.

January at LKPD Means

Preparing for a Championship!

When asked why the Lawrence Police Department (LKPD) begins preparing in January for a tournament that doesn’t begin for months, the response from leadership comes with a grin: “Is Bill Self still the coach? Then yeah, we’re already planning,” says Deputy Chief Anthony Brixius. In Lawrence, the pursuit of an NCAA National Championship is more than a series of sporting events; it’s a recurring Lawrence tradition that comes with a lot of behind-the-scenes work.

Behind the Scenes

From a policing perspective, that means putting a structure and safeguards in place using the “Incident Command System” (ICS) and tailoring the work to fit our community. The ICS was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in response to natural disasters and large-scale emergencies and provides a unified framework for coordinating resources, personnel and communications to manage incidents effectively. That’s an industry explanation for the work overseen by Deputy Chief Anthony Brixius and led by Lieutenant David Ernst.

The Effect: Celebrating with the Community

“Is Bill Self still the coach? Then yeah, we’re already planning.”

– LKPD Deputy Chief Anthony Brixius

More simply, preparation means a safer celebration. But, not in the way you may think. “Commanders aren’t bracing for a confrontation,” says Brixius. “They’re preparing for a number of scenarios to promote a safe and positive celebration.”

“We feel fortunate to police in a town with such a successful program and a byproduct of that is that we get to celebrate with the fans,” Brixius continues.

To which Ernst adds, “The safety of these celebrations is our primary focus, but we police with the community, not against it.”

“It’s an important distinction because it ultimately determines what kind of celebration we have,” Brixius continues.

“You see the officers giving high fives to people as they walk by instead of having

JANUARY

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NEW LEADS

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The Turning Point: Genetic Genealogy With no further leads to follow, the case remained dormant until Detective Amy Price learned about the investigative techniques used to capture California’s “Golden State Killer”. In 2019, she advocated for the use of forensic genetic genealogy, a process that differs from traditional DNA testing, and comes at a cost of about $5,000 per sample.

While standard forensic testing looks at specific markers to match a suspect directly to a database of known offenders, the more complicated testing uses a much larger set of genetic data. By uploading the unknown suspect’s profile to public databases, investigators can find distant relatives. This allows genealogists to build out a family tree, narrowing down the search to specific branches.

Connecting the Branches

That’s when decades of traditional investigative experience became key. The journey to connect the clues to a specific person was long and nationwide. The FBI’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Unit joined the effort along with LKPD Detective Meghan Bardwell. The team, after collecting new DNA samples and traveling to interview family members across the county, positively identified a suspect. This final link led detectives to Raytown, MO, where they obtained a direct DNA sample from Zimbrick under a search warrant. On December 18, 2025, the KBI confirmed the match, and U.S. Marshals later made the arrest. Since LKPD’s announcement, investigators have received several calls with information about the possibility of additional victims within and outside Lawrence. Detectives will thoroughly investigate each of those leads and this case remains an active investigation.

Answered by: Sgt. Drew Fennelly

Question:

What should I do if I’m involved in a crash during a blizzard?

Answer:

Extreme weather in the winter often leads to a lot of crashes as the snow falls. This can also cause a delayed response from police when there are more crashes than we have the personnel to respond. For that reason, we prioritize our response during extreme winter weather to crashes involving injuries. After

injuries, the next consideration is the location the vehicles are in, and how much of a hazard it creates. In these rare circumstances, you may be asked to either wait for a response or simply exchange information with the other driver involved and head home to be contacted at a later time. In all cases, prior to leaving the scene of a noninjury crash, state law requires that each driver provide the other with their name, vehicle information, contact information, and insurance information. If there are injuries involved, you are required to remain on scene until police arrive. If your vehicle is disabled and needs a tow, you’ll need to wait for an officer to respond.

Question:

Do I need a police report for an online fraud case?

Answer:

Any time you are the victim of a crime, it’s important that you report it to police. Beyond trying to investigate your specific case, it’s also important that we track trends and methods to keep the public aware of the scams going around. If no one reports them to us, we won’t know about them. This is similar to when an auto burglar hits a neighborhood. Sometimes people don’t report that their car was burglarized because nothing is missing. But knowing where these crimes are occurring allows us to dedicate resources to the areas that need attention. In both auto burglaries and online scams, the officer assigned to your case will do their best to investigate the case and provide you with information to protect yourself.

Safe and Secure Key Progress Indicator 7:

LKPD measures the number of investigations resulting in an arrest, notice to appear in court, or referral for prosecution as a progress indicator in equity and inclusion. The numbers include cases with no possible law enforcement action such as death investigations, cases where victims choose not to participate in the judicial process, or missing persons investigations where the person returns home, etc. They are not clearance rates. To move closer to the goal, the department will identify demographically disproportionate numbers and provide community-based education and solutions. Partnerships and collaboration with community organizations will assist in this work along with officer training efforts such as de-escalation training and fair and impartial police training.

This progress indicator helps determine how well LKPD is working to support victims. The department’s advocacy team partners with community-based support and service organizations with the goal of reducing instances of sexual and domestic violence and assisting victims through their recovery. Assessing a victim’s future risk and providing education and support is critical in the effort to eliminate the cycle of domestic violence.

Percentage of outreach provided by systems-based advocacy to sexual and

“Robin Hood” Hacker Virtually Swoops in to Save Lawrence Woman

By Laura McCabe LKPD Communications Manager

Just as a Lawrence widow was about to unknowingly give hackers access to her life savings, her son rushed over, shut down all her devices, and stopped the transfers, in time. How did he know? A “Robin Hood” hacker called the son and told him to get there quickly.

LKPD’s responding officer soon learned of @DEYOCLUB on YouTube. The anonymous content creator who helped the woman and her son secure her funds and lock the scammers out.

“He doesn’t ask for permission,” responding officer Charles Smyser notes. “His goal is essentially to keep people from being scammed. He’s following the scammers, not the victims.”

Officer Smyser reached out to the man, who was using an untraceable phone and admittedly a false name. The content creator calls himself a “Gray Hat Hacker” and isn’t in Lawrence.

The anonymous man told Offi-

cer Smyser he monitors overseas fraud rings. From the “back door” of the criminal operation, he saw the live connection to the woman’s device, then used public information sources to track down her son and warn him when she didn’t answer.

White, Black, and Gray Hat Hackers

Simply put, technology experts define “White Hat Hackers” as legitimate experts hired by companies to keep their systems secure.

“Black Hat Hackers” are the people trying to get into systems for nefarious reasons. The resulting gray area is filled with a spectrum of technology experts, including some who are infiltrating the fraudsters to shut them down.

This “Gray Hat Hacker” says he became aware of the real-world impact of online scams when a close friend was targeted by a romance scam. “I began actively engaging with scammers to better understand their methods and disrupt their operations. What

started as a hobby in wasting the scammer’s time, has evolved into a more focused effort to confront scammers, raise awareness and advocate for victims,” says the man known as Deyoclub.

This incident began when the woman received a fraudulent letter, purportedly from PayPal, claiming a phone had been purchased on her account. When she called the number to dispute the charge, she was funneled directly to scammers. For hours, they manipulated her, eventually gaining remote access to her phone. That’s when the scammers began screen-recording her every move, capturing passwords and sensitive data with their sights set on her retirement accounts.

No Money Lost but….

While the legality of “hacking the hackers” remains debatable, the emotional impact for this Lawrence woman and her son was black and white. “They were very appreciative,” Smyser said. “They were just happy there are people out there stopping this.”

1. Beware of the “Urgent” Letter or Email

• If you get a notification about a purchase you didn’t make, never call the phone number listed in the letter or email. Go directly to the official website or the official app to check your transaction history.

2. Never Grant Remote Access

• A legitimate company will never ask to “remote into” your phone or computer to fix an order. If someone asks you to download an app like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or Zoho, hang up.

3. Recognize the “Boss” Tactic

• High-pressure escalations are a hallmark of fraud. Passing the phone from a woman to a supervising male is a common psychological trick. Remember that you are the customer. You have the power to hang up and call the bank’s verified number.

4. Monitor Your Public Footprint

• While in this case, public information was used to locate help, scammers use the same tools to find relatives and make their lies more convincing.

For Rhoads, telling Violet’s story is an act of vulnerability, with a clear purpose. It’s a way to help the community see the person behind the uniform and understand that officers carry their hearts with them into the community they serve every day.

Recruiting is a Verb

This sense of “family” and service to others is the heartbeat of the Lawrence Kansas Police Department (LKPD), but the department’s leadership knows that in today’s world, a great culture isn’t enough if people don’t know it exists.

“Traditionally, we haven’t had to recruit as a profession,” explains Chief Rich Lockhart. “But ‘recruit’ is a verb. It’s not a poster or a table at a job fair. You have to go out and sell your program like a college coach. You have to go to where the applicants are.”

For LKPD, that means changing the narrative of what it means to be an officer. Chief Lockhart explains that they aren’t just looking for “tough guys” or people who have spent their lives dreaming of a badge. They are looking for human beings who care about other human beings and who show up with as much empathy as they do authority.

“Uniquely Lawrence”

The department is intentionally seeking a diverse range of backgrounds. Current members include former teachers, social workers, pastors, former journalists, and professional wrestlers, people whose life experiences shape how they listen, respond, and serve.

“We call ourselves ‘Uniquely Lawrence,’” says Chief Lockhart. “Our police department is as unique as our community. We want people who hold the same values our community holds: integrity, character, and trustworthiness.”

A significant focus has been placed on college athletes and students from the University of Kansas. The department recently launched an internship program to give students a “bird’s eye view” of the profession—not just patrol, but investigations, evidence, and community engagement. They are also prioritizing “homegrown” talent—people who

JANUARY

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some sort of conflict.”

The Breadth of the Operation: By the Numbers

The scope of work required to manage a crowd that can swell about 70,000 people is vast. A long lead time is required to manage logistics the public rarely sees— like bringing in officers from several agencies throughout the state and Kansas City Metro. During the 2022 National Championship game, nearly 300 officers were in service. Commanders work to arrange transportation, designate staging areas for hundreds of outside personnel, and identify dedicated routes to ensure emergency vehicles can navigate through

grew up in the school districts, know the neighborhoods, and understand the specific culture of Lawrence.

“Policing in a community you grew up in means more to you,” Rhoads notes. “You don’t just protect the city; you protect people who feel like neighbors.”

Be You at Home and at Work

While many applicants are drawn to the specialized units like K9 handlers, the drone program, or the Special Victims Unit, Chief Lockhart reminisces fondly and is quick to point out, “the most fun you can have is on patrol.”

He says unlike a typical office job where you wait for clients or restock shelves, a patrol officer has immense autonomy. “You decide every night what you’re going to do,” the Chief says. “If you want to go chase warrants, you can. If you want to follow up on a case from the night before, you can. You go out and create your work.”

Lockhart says the four-day work week with ten-hour shifts offers a level of freedom and variety that few professions can match. “Every day on the street is

a potential sea of people. City departments like Municipal Services Operations prepare road closures and clean up. Nearly all city departments have a hand in creating a safe and secure environment.

Inside the Unified Command Center

At the heart of the operation is the Emergency Operations Center. Imagine a room filled with computer stations, video walls, and the decision-makers from every discipline—police, fire, and emergency management and more —sitting side-byside.

“The reason we do a unified command is because you have the decision-makers in one room,” says Ernst. “You’re speaking the same language. Whether it’s a medical emergency like a heart attack in the middle of 70,000 people or a fire in a trash can, we

different. You cannot make up the things we get to see and experience,” adds Rhoads, ”And you don’t have to leave who you are at the door when you put the uniform on.”

High Standards

Despite the national shortage of officers, LKPD refuses to lower its standards. They recently saw a pool of over 100 applicants result in only five hires. Rhoads explains that those numbers aren’t a failure of the process; they’re a protection of a culture that once carried her through unimaginable loss.

As the Lieutenant now tasked with leading the training and recruitment team, Rhoads will not accept less than she has so gratefully received.

“We have core values we will not surpass,” Rhoads says firmly. “If someone isn’t trustworthy or lacks integrity, they can’t be a Lawrence Kansas Police Officer. We owe it to the community—and to the family we’ve built here—to only bring in the best.”

For those who DO make the cut, she says the rewards go way beyond a paycheck and she works daily to ensure those who come after her have the family she so gratefully experienced during her time of need.

As Rhoads puts it: “We are more than a uniform. We are people who show up for the Lawrence Community and are committed to being there when it matters.”

can allocate resources much quicker.”

This structure also helps emergency response leaders identify potential dangers while maintaining a celebratory atmosphere.

In addition, it ensures a continuity of operations – meaning the level of service in other parts of the city remains unchanged.

Ernst will work to nearly double street presence throughout the city, “We recognize that regardless of this large celebration downtown, but we have a duty to provide service to our entire Lawrence community and make sure we have the ability to respond for calls with the level of service our community members expect absent this celebration.”

The World Cup Connection

While basketball is the more immediate focus, the experience at LKPD provides

a decades-long rehearsal for potential World Cup celebrations in Lawrence. “The professional collaborations we’ve built over years of Final Four runs are the same foundations needed for international events,” says Ernst.

Preparations that happen every year, win or lose. “It gives us the ability to practice every year so that when the big moment happens, we’re better at what we do,” says Brixius. “We learn from our mistakes, we learn from our successes, and we get better every single year,” he continues.

Ultimately, no matter the event, law enforcement will work to ensure that when the final whistle blows, the only thing the community has to worry about is the score—not whether LKPD is prepared to protect and serve.

Safe and Secure KPI 1: Residents who perceive Lawrence as safe or very safe

The Lawrence Kansas Police Department is committed to openly communicate information to help everyone feel more safe and secure.

Total calls for service and top call location measurements help guide our work.

Total calls can assist in appropriate staffing, proactive education, and determining the most efficient and effective use of resources.

In 2025, Officers responded to a total of 42,656 calls from citizens and initiated 41,390 calls for a total of 84,046 calls.

Top 5 Call Locations Initiated by Citizens

Knowing where officers are repeatedly called to assist community members, can help department leaders work to address issues before crimes occur, educate community members on how to prevent becoming a crime victim, provide resources and services, and encourage community partners to get involved in providing solutions to address po tential underlying problems.

October 2025

1. Union At the Loop Apts., 3250 Michigan Street = 71 Calls for Service

2. Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 325 Maine Street = 32 Calls for Service

3. Lawrence Community Shelter, 3655 E. 25th St. = 27 Calls for Service

4. Easy Living Mobile Home Park, 3323 Iowa = 26 Calls for Service

5. Edgewood, 1600 Haskell Ave. = 26 Calls for Service

November 2025

1.Union At the Loop, 3250 Michigan Street = 51 Calls for Service

2. Lawrence Community Shelter, 3655 E. 25th St. = 33 Calls for Service

3. Tamarind Apartments, 15151517 W. 9th St. = 30 Calls for Service

4. Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 325 Maine St = 24 Calls for Service

5. Easy Living Mobile Home Park 3323 Iowa St. and Hawk’s Landing Apartments 2411 Louisiana St. = 23 Calls for Service each

December 2025

1. Lawrence Community Shelter, 3655 E. 25th St. = 69 Calls for Service

2. Union At the Loop Apts. 3250 Michigan Street = 42 Calls for Service

3. Tamarind Apartments, 15151517 W. 9th St. = 36 Calls for Service

4. Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 325 Maine Street = 24 Calls for Service

5. Prairie Ridge Place, 2424 Melrose Lane = 22 Calls for Service

Safe and Secure Key Progress Indicator

Lawrence Kansas Police and the Treatment and Recovery Center

By Deputy Chief Anthony Brixius

The Teams:

The Lawrence Kansas Police Department often encounters individuals who are in distress, but who have not committed a crime nor sustained a physical injury.

The Treatment and Recovery Center (TRC) of Douglas County is operated by the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. The TRC is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.

How it works:

• The TRC provides officers with a special entrance to bring people in crisis, ensuring timely and appropriate treatment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

• By offering crisis stabilization and medication-assisted detox, the TRC

helps divert individuals from jails and emergency departments to begin their behavioral health or substance use recovery journeys.

Why it matters: The collaboration enhances community well-being by providing critical support services and pathways to recovery for people with critical mental health needs.

• It offers alternatives to jail or a hospital, creating a safer environment for those seeking help.

• People in crisis receive the right treatment in the right place at the right time.

• The average time it takes for a Law Enforcement Officer to drop someone off at the TRC is between seven and eight minutes – fulfilling the collective goal of returning officers to service within the community as quickly as possible.

The Lawrence Kansas Police Department, along with county partners, continue to provide alternative responses to calls for service. The data is a key performance indicator of LKPD’s commitment to community members to use resources efficiently and effectively. In 2023, the Lawrence Kansas Police Department and Douglas County emergency response agencies were selected to participate in the Harvard Kennedy School’s

An Idea Worth Investing In

By Laura McCabe

LKPD Communications Manager

Most police interactions with troubled youth end once the handcuffs click shut, but Officer Anthony Harvey Jr.’s work begins when the locked door closes. He’s working to reimagine the relationship between police and juvenile offenders with a mentorship program called “Forward Progress,” which operates within the walls of the Lawrence Juvenile Detention Center (JDC).

“I felt I would honestly have to dig deep and make it genuine if I wanted to gain trust and rapport,” says Officer Anthony Harvey Jr., known by most simply as Harvey. “I thought it was one of those ideas that was crazy enough that it just might work,” he continues.

Bridging the Divide

Harvey began the program in the summer of 2025 in his free time – off the clock – but Chief Rich Lockhart soon learned about his “crazy idea” and supports the valuable time spent. Every Friday, he trades his police uniform for jeans and a sweatshirt, intentionally stripping away barriers ingrained in many young offenders.

Harvey grew up in Lawrence and saw people who didn’t have positive role models make bad decisions and face consequences. “I feel like I have a responsibility to leave my community in a better place than what I grew up in,” explains Harvey. “I grew up kind of looking up to the wrong people who didn’t necessarily create a positive environment for the community.”

Building Trust

Harvey admits that gaining trust wasn’t instant.

“I share the mistakes of my life,” Harvey says. “I had to share my upbringing and the feelings I had toward the police to connect with them.”

However, Harvey is quick to clarify that his “casual” approach does not mean he is easy on them. In fact, he holds his mentees to a higher standard than other kids he sees on the streets.

If a resident “messes up” during the week, they lose the privilege of attending the group. Harvey believes that tough love is the only way to prepare them for a world that will be quick to judge them for their past.

The ultimate goal of “Forward Progress” is to change the trajectory of the “adults of tomorrow,” as Harvey calls them.

“If we don’t take back our kids, and if we don’t show them that we care

“I wanted to do something other than the norm. I thought it was one of those ideas that was crazy enough that it just might work.”

– Officer Anthony Harvey Jr.

enough to sit down, and have an open and honest conversation about their trajectory of life, and if they don’t change, then we’re just going to keep overpopulating the jails with misguided young people,” warns Harvey, “and it’s just going to create a whole bunch of disdain for the police.”

Not “Scared Straight”

Unlike the “Scared Straight” programs that rely on intimidation, “Forward Progress” focuses on humanization and life skills.

The JDC is split into two distinct groups: the residents, who are incarcerated full-time, and students in the day school program who are barred from public education. The “Forward Progress” program works with both groups and varies the lesson plans accordingly to provide a hopeful future.

Harvey’s sessions range from maintaining a positive mindset in a negative environment to practical preparation. He conducts mock interviews to teach kids how to communicate with adults appropriately, helps them process mistakes that led to detention, and has open discussions about the weight of second chances to help them value freedom.

The impact is tangible. One resident was inspired to start a Bible study within the facility, while others have begun to view their time in JDC not just as a punishment, but as a time for growth and restructuring.

A New Wave of Policing

Harvey admits he was ignorant about what happened at the JDC and was “... just dropping people off and going on about our nights or days. But I have gained a better understanding and a newfound respect for the staff at JDC.”

Harvey says it’s an understanding which can benefit everyone on the streets and has invited fellow officers to join him – hoping the program continues long past his days at LKPD. “The kids are powerful nowadays. Kids are committing a good amount of violent crime in the state of Kansas, and we need to be able to have that personal

connection with them. I want people in the community to understand that this is a new wave, and this is a new era of policing Lawrence.”

Creating a Safer Lawrence

In Harvey’s eyes, every Friday afternoon spent with these kids is an investment in a safer, more connected Lawrence. “I go in there and there are days where if a kid got out and I’m the one that had to go arrest, I’m like, ‘we’re going to have that tough conversation,’ but I think it’s what’s best for them because nobody else is holding them accountable like that.”

Harvey views an arrest, not as punishment, but as an opportunity to

change. “The big picture is to create an environment where young adults of tomorrow can understand that police aren’t the enemy. The police are a resource.”

“It’s okay to ask a question and it’s okay to show love. I think that’s the biggest thing we’re missing right now is people just showing love,” says Harvey.

Everyone who leaves the JDC has Harvey’s email address and he’s already hearing from some who keep in contact voluntarily. His message is consistent: “I don’t want to see you again. I want to hear from you, but I don’t want to see you in here again because I want what’s best for you.”