(From the Branson Police Department)
A traffic stop early Wednesday morning by a Branson Police Department led to multiple arrests and the recovery of several stolen firearms, illegal narcotics and money.
A Branson Police Officer initiated a traffic stop about 1:30 am Wednesday, May 30 2018 in the 3500 block of West State Highway 76 for a traffic violation. The driver got out of the car and ran away. Officers were able to locate and apprehend the suspect, who was hiding underneath a vehicle.
Upon further investigation, Branson Police discovered stolen firearms that were stashed close by that included three handguns and two rifles. Officers also found a substance believed to be methamphetamine and an undisclosed amount of money.
Branson Patrol officers working in conjunction with members of the Vice Unit from the Branson Police Department, arrested three people, including the initial suspect in connection to this case. This is an ongoing investigation. Charges are pending.
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Monett Police searching for stolen truck
The Monett Police Department is attempting to locate a 92 Ford F150 4x4 extended cab stolen from Monett on 5/10/18.
If anyone has information regarding this vehicle please call the Monett Police Department 417-235-4241 or Crimestoppers 1-888-635-8477.
Barry County Sheriff's Office searching for Cassville man wanted for DWI, felony non-support
Wanted!
Please help us locate Donald “Donnie” Griffanti, Cassville, wanted for DWI, Driving while Revoked and Felony Non-Support. Please call 911 if located! Thank you
Greene County Sheriff investigates shooting incident at N. Emu Lane
(From the Greene County Sheriff's Office)
On May 31st at approximately 0750 hours, Greene County deputies responded to the 6500 block of N. Emu Ln regarding a shots fired call.
Deputies are currently investigating the incident that occurred between two vehicles and no injuries have occurred to any person. This is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public at this time. We will provide further information as it becomes available.
Drugs, electronic devices seized as drug task force executes search warrant on Springfield security company
(From the Greene County Sheriff's Office)
On Thursday May 24, 2018 at approximately 8 p.m., Greene County Sheriff’s deputies assisted a drug task force officer from the Combined Ozarks Multi-jurisdictional Enforcement Team (COMET) with a Narcotics Search Warrant at the Southern Missouri Judicial Services (SMOJS) business located at 1111 N. Boonville Avenue.
On Thursday May 24, 2018 at approximately 8 p.m., Greene County Sheriff’s deputies assisted a drug task force officer from the Combined Ozarks Multi-jurisdictional Enforcement Team (COMET) with a Narcotics Search Warrant at the Southern Missouri Judicial Services (SMOJS) business located at 1111 N. Boonville Avenue.
Controlled substances, narcotics paraphernalia, electronics and electronic storage devices were seized under the warrant. This investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the COMET drug task force or the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
Agenda posted for Springfield City Council lunch meeting
Springfield City Council Lunch
Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 12:00 pm
Eden Village 2801 E. Division St.
TENTATIVE AGENDA
1. Follow-Up from the City Council Meeting of June 4, 2018
2. Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) Presentation – Debi Meeds and Larry Woods
3. Eden Village Tour – Nate Schlueter
4. Any and all matters to come before City Council
Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 12:00 pm
Eden Village 2801 E. Division St.
TENTATIVE AGENDA
1. Follow-Up from the City Council Meeting of June 4, 2018
2. Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) Presentation – Debi Meeds and Larry Woods
3. Eden Village Tour – Nate Schlueter
4. Any and all matters to come before City Council
Westbound lanes in 2100 block of West Republic to be closed for utility work through Friday
(From the City of Springfield)
The westbound lanes in the 2100 block of West Republic Road will be closed alternately today through 5 p.m. June 1, as crews repair the roadway following recent utility work.
Motorists should expect delays and are advised to seek an alternate route, if possible.
The westbound lanes in the 2100 block of West Republic Road will be closed alternately today through 5 p.m. June 1, as crews repair the roadway following recent utility work.
Motorists should expect delays and are advised to seek an alternate route, if possible.
Informational meeting planned for June 12 at Roaring River State Park
(From Missouri State Parks)
Roaring State Park invites the public to a combined informational meeting beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at the park’s Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center. The public is invited to share comments about Roaring River and Big Sugar Creek state parks and their operations. Park site staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.
Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings, which are being held in all state parks and historic sites, help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give staff the opportunity to let people know the current status and future plans for the park or historic site, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities.
Roaring River State Park is located at 12716 Farm Road 2239, Cassville. For more information about the meeting, call the park office at 417-847-2539.
For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Springfield Police Department to hold Lateral Police Academy graduation ceremony
(From the Springfield Police Department)
The Springfield Police Department’s 15th Lateral Police Academy will be honored with a graduation ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday, June 1, at the Springfield Regional Police and Fire Training Center, 2620 W. Battlefield.
Graduates include:
Ronnie Rust, formerly of the St. Louis Metro Police Department (MO)
Dustin Sweet, formerly of the New Braunfels Police Department (TX)
Ben Wilson, formerly of the Ozark Police Department (MO)
These three officers have received seven weeks (280 hours) of training to acclimate them to Springfield and the Springfield Police Department. Upon graduation, they will be assigned to an experienced field-training officer (FTO) for six weeks of on-the-job training. Once they complete the FTO program, these officers will be assigned to the SPD’s Uniform Operations Bureau.
The community is invited to help welcome these three officers to the Springfield Police Department and congratulate them on their lateral academy graduation.
The Springfield Police Department’s 15th Lateral Police Academy will be honored with a graduation ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday, June 1, at the Springfield Regional Police and Fire Training Center, 2620 W. Battlefield.
Graduates include:
Ronnie Rust, formerly of the St. Louis Metro Police Department (MO)
Dustin Sweet, formerly of the New Braunfels Police Department (TX)
Ben Wilson, formerly of the Ozark Police Department (MO)
These three officers have received seven weeks (280 hours) of training to acclimate them to Springfield and the Springfield Police Department. Upon graduation, they will be assigned to an experienced field-training officer (FTO) for six weeks of on-the-job training. Once they complete the FTO program, these officers will be assigned to the SPD’s Uniform Operations Bureau.
The community is invited to help welcome these three officers to the Springfield Police Department and congratulate them on their lateral academy graduation.
Dadeville man killed after slamming into tree
A Dadeville man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 8:50 a.m. today on MO 215, four miles south of Stockton.
According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2003 Chevrolet pickup driven by Phillip H. Smith, 77, Dadeville, traveled off the left side of the road and struck a fence and a tree.
Smith was pronounced dead at by Brent Bartgis at Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar, at 9:50 a.m.
The fatality was the 17th this month and the 47th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.
According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2003 Chevrolet pickup driven by Phillip H. Smith, 77, Dadeville, traveled off the left side of the road and struck a fence and a tree.
Smith was pronounced dead at by Brent Bartgis at Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar, at 9:50 a.m.
The fatality was the 17th this month and the 47th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.
Hit-and-run driver kills West Plains woman on 60
A hit-and-run driver killed a West Plains woman 9:50 p.m. Wednesday on U. S. 60, two miles west of Rogersville.
According to the Highway Patrol report, a vehicle struck Corina A. Guthrie, 22, West Plains, who had walked into traffic. The vehicle continued without stopping. Greene County Coroner Noah Cross pronounced Guthrie dead at the scene.
According to the Highway Patrol report, a vehicle struck Corina A. Guthrie, 22, West Plains, who had walked into traffic. The vehicle continued without stopping. Greene County Coroner Noah Cross pronounced Guthrie dead at the scene.
Republic woman sentenced to 21 years in prison for role in meth conspiracy
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)
A Republic, Mo., woman has been sentenced in federal court for leading a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in southwest Missouri.
Kenna Harmon, 39, of Republic, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, to 21 years and six months in federal prison without parole.
On March 17, 2016, Harmon pleaded guilty to being a leader, along with her husband, Daniel Harmon, in the drug-trafficking conspiracy as well as a money-laundering conspiracy and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In total, the Harmon drug-trafficking organization was responsible for the distribution of over 45 kilograms of methamphetamine from June 1, 2013, through Nov. 29, 2014. The Harmons obtained pound amounts of methamphetamine from sources in Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo., and in Oklahoma for distribution in the Springfield area.
Beginning in 2012, the Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted by other agencies, investigated one of the largest methamphetamine distribution rings in southwest Missouri. The investigation resulted in the indictment of 29 co-defendants.
In December 2013, Daniel Harmon was stopped by law enforcement officers outside of St. Louis. During a search of his vehicle, officers discovered approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, $60,000 and a handgun. Daniel Harmon was indicted in the Eastern District of Missouri and pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
After Daniel Harmon’s arrest and incarceration, Kenna Harmon continued to lead the drug-trafficking organization in its distribution of methamphetamine. Kenna Harmon directed the organization to purchase large amounts of methamphetamine from various sources of supply and provided distributive amounts of methamphetamine to co-defendants. Kenna Harmon, in order to distribute the large amount of methamphetamine that she was responsible for selling, stored methamphetamine in several residences in Greene and Polk Counties, and directed several individuals to assist in maintaining those residences.
On Nov. 27, 2014, Kenna Harmon was stopped in her blue BMW 545i while traveling in Springfield. During a search of Kenna Harmon’s vehicle, officers discovered a small amount of methamphetamine, $4,604 and marijuana, all of which was found on either her person or within the vehicle. A search warrant was executed at her residence the same day, where agents found approximately $20,000, approximately 5 ½ pounds of methamphetamine and a loaded Jennings .22-caliber pistol (in a nightstand in her bedroom).
Under the terms of her plea agreement, Kenna Harmon must forfeit to the government the house she was building in Halfway, Mo. Kenna Harmon paid approximately $324,185 in cash for the construction of the residence, which was from drug-trafficking proceeds. The proceeds were paid in installments to a local building contractor that Kenna Harmon hired. She told the contractor that she had inherited the cash, which was not true. She used the property to promote her continued sale of methamphetamine by storing methamphetamine at the residence. Harmon must also forfeit a firearm, five vehicles used by the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, jewelry purchased with drug proceeds and approximately $61,000.
Harmon is among 19 co-defendants who have been sentenced in this case. The remaining 10 defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randall D. Eggert, Nhan D. Nguyen and Cynthia J. Hyde. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
A Republic, Mo., woman has been sentenced in federal court for leading a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in southwest Missouri.
Kenna Harmon, 39, of Republic, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, to 21 years and six months in federal prison without parole.
On March 17, 2016, Harmon pleaded guilty to being a leader, along with her husband, Daniel Harmon, in the drug-trafficking conspiracy as well as a money-laundering conspiracy and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In total, the Harmon drug-trafficking organization was responsible for the distribution of over 45 kilograms of methamphetamine from June 1, 2013, through Nov. 29, 2014. The Harmons obtained pound amounts of methamphetamine from sources in Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo., and in Oklahoma for distribution in the Springfield area.
Beginning in 2012, the Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted by other agencies, investigated one of the largest methamphetamine distribution rings in southwest Missouri. The investigation resulted in the indictment of 29 co-defendants.
In December 2013, Daniel Harmon was stopped by law enforcement officers outside of St. Louis. During a search of his vehicle, officers discovered approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, $60,000 and a handgun. Daniel Harmon was indicted in the Eastern District of Missouri and pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
After Daniel Harmon’s arrest and incarceration, Kenna Harmon continued to lead the drug-trafficking organization in its distribution of methamphetamine. Kenna Harmon directed the organization to purchase large amounts of methamphetamine from various sources of supply and provided distributive amounts of methamphetamine to co-defendants. Kenna Harmon, in order to distribute the large amount of methamphetamine that she was responsible for selling, stored methamphetamine in several residences in Greene and Polk Counties, and directed several individuals to assist in maintaining those residences.
On Nov. 27, 2014, Kenna Harmon was stopped in her blue BMW 545i while traveling in Springfield. During a search of Kenna Harmon’s vehicle, officers discovered a small amount of methamphetamine, $4,604 and marijuana, all of which was found on either her person or within the vehicle. A search warrant was executed at her residence the same day, where agents found approximately $20,000, approximately 5 ½ pounds of methamphetamine and a loaded Jennings .22-caliber pistol (in a nightstand in her bedroom).
Under the terms of her plea agreement, Kenna Harmon must forfeit to the government the house she was building in Halfway, Mo. Kenna Harmon paid approximately $324,185 in cash for the construction of the residence, which was from drug-trafficking proceeds. The proceeds were paid in installments to a local building contractor that Kenna Harmon hired. She told the contractor that she had inherited the cash, which was not true. She used the property to promote her continued sale of methamphetamine by storing methamphetamine at the residence. Harmon must also forfeit a firearm, five vehicles used by the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, jewelry purchased with drug proceeds and approximately $61,000.
Harmon is among 19 co-defendants who have been sentenced in this case. The remaining 10 defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randall D. Eggert, Nhan D. Nguyen and Cynthia J. Hyde. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Tornado watch in effect for Springfield, Branson areas
TORNADO WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WT 138 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 200 PM CDT THU MAY 31 2018 TORNADO WATCH 138 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS MOC009-017-023-031-035-043-055-065-067-069-077-091-093-105-109- 123-133-143-149-153-155-157-161-169-179-181-186-187-201-203-207- 209-213-215-221-223-225-229-010100- /O.NEW.KWNS.TO.A.0138.180531T1900Z-180601T0100Z/ MO . MISSOURI COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BARRY BOLLINGER BUTLER CAPE GIRARDEAU CARTER CHRISTIAN CRAWFORD DENT DOUGLAS DUNKLIN GREENE HOWELL IRON LACLEDE LAWRENCE MADISON MISSISSIPPI NEW MADRID OREGON OZARK PEMISCOT PERRY PHELPS PULASKI REYNOLDS RIPLEY SCOTT SHANNON ST. FRANCOIS STE. GENEVIEVE STODDARD STONE TANEY TEXAS WASHINGTON WAYNE WEBSTER WRIGHT
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
City of Springfield, Greene County take steps to battle opioid epidemic
(From the City of Springfield)
Nearly 64,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2016, and at least two-thirds of those deaths were linked to opioids, a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others.
That means that more Americans die from drug overdoses than from car crashes, gun homicides and AIDS-related deaths combined.
While these deaths are increasingly linked to illicit opioids such as heroin and fentanyl, the rise in opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose originally began with the proliferation of prescription painkillers — which were flooded into cities and counties by profit-seeking pill manufacturers and distributors.
The ill-effects of opioid addiction and abuse have reached far beyond immediate painkiller users. For example - the number of babies born in Springfield with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), induced specifically by prenatal opioid use, has skyrocketed. Over 1,200 babies were born with NAS in Missouri in 2015 and 2016. One Springfield hospital fills at least one of its 28 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit rooms with an addicted baby each day.
The number of opioid-addicted infants born in Springfield surpasses that of any other city in the state.
The city continues to witness an increase in opioid overdoses. It is not unusual for local emergency responders to react to several each day. Although opioid overdose death rates were at 17.9 fatal overdoses per 100,000 people, in 2012, these local rates climbed to 31.6 per 100,000 in 2015. The overdose rate for Springfield citizens under the age of fifty years is almost twice the national average.
During the first six months of 2017, Springfield lost seven citizens to overdoses and Springfield Police seized 1,460.5 pounds of heroin. Greene County lost 22 people in the first nine months of 2017 from prescription opioid overdoses alone, and 23 more from illicit fentanyl and heroin overdoses.
“It is affecting almost every single man, woman and child within our community in some way,” said Springfield City Manager Greg Burris. “We have taken steps to help address the misuse of these opioids, such as the creation of a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and the launch of a Task Force on Substance Abuse and Mental Health, but a challenge of this scale demands a multi-layered response.”
On May 24, City and County officials and community partners announced the Healthy Living Alliance’s formation of a Task Force on Substance Abuse and Mental Health. The charge of the multidisciplinary group includes developing a Springfield-Greene County community action plan and determining the estimated overall economic/fiscal impact that unaddressed substance abuse and mental health issues place on the community, how much that impact is likely to grow if we do nothing more than what is being done today, and community-wide savings that could result if we implement recommended strategies.
The City of Springfield and Greene County are now ready to take the additional bold steps that nearly 500 counties and 300 cities and towns have taken. Each will file an opioid-related lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors.
The City plans to file its lawsuit in federal district court on May 30, 2018. The City’s lawsuit will likely be consolidated with lawsuits filed by other cities and counties around the country, for purposes of discovery and qualification of witnesses in what is called multidistrict litigation (MDL). Greene County is preparing to file a separate lawsuit.
“We want to do everything we can to address this crisis and a lawsuit of this nature will hopefully hold manufacturers and distributors more responsible,” said Greene County Commissioner Harold Bengsch. “In addition to this action, we will also continue to work closely with the newly formed Task Force on Substance Abuse and Mental Health to find solutions that further combat this issue and other addictive behaviors in our community.”
There are two principal legal arguments supporting these cases, one against opioid manufacturers and another primarily against opioid distributors.
Starting in the mid-1990s, opioid manufacturers unleashed a misleading marketing push underplaying the risks of opioid painkillers and exaggerating such drugs’ benefits. This constitutes false advertising with deadly consequences — by encouraging over-prescription and creating the unsubstantiated notion that opioids are good for chronic pain and not addictive. Direct-to-consumer advertising persuaded patients to believe the pills were safe and effective.
Meanwhile, opioid distributors supplied a large number of these drugs, even when were aware they were being distributed to people who were misusing the drugs. This claim is backed by data that shows that in some counties and states, there were more prescribed bottles of painkillers than there were people — some believe to be a sign that something was going very wrong. Federal laws require distributors to vigorously monitor the supply chain to ensure their products aren’t falling into the wrong hands. Letting these drugs proliferate violates those laws.
“Each defendant contributed to this crisis by flooding Springfield and other communities with excessive amounts of dangerous and addictive medications,” Burris said. “Defendants’ actions are a serious breach of the public trust, which has resulted in drug misuse and abuse, addiction, and deaths, and great expenses for Springfield, a first responder to the opioid epidemic.”
The City’s lawsuit details how distributor defendants knew, or should have known, that the millions of doses of highly addictive opioids they were shipping into Springfield were far in excess of the legitimate needs for Springfield and should have been stopped and/or reported to authorities as required by federal law, before such activities developed into the crisis the community now faces.
Though they had a duty to the consuming public, both collectively and individually, distributor defendants failed to take any action to effectively prevent, minimize, or reduce the distribution or availability of these dangerous drugs.
In addition, distributor defendants paid their sales force employees’ and managers’ bonuses and commissions based upon the sale of most, or all, of the highly addictive opioids supplied to Springfield. The result of these companies’ actions has been catastrophic for Springfield and its residents, while the companies themselves profited substantially from the opioids sold here.
The financial costs to Springfield include significant increases in expenditures on emergency services, including responding to overdose calls and crime reports that are the natural product of increased drug abuse. For example, the city added 21 police officers to its force and is seeking a grant to add seven new firefighters. The need for two additional fire stations has also been documented.
Costs to Springfield also include, but are not limited to: funding health insurance; providing medical treatment; investigating and prosecuting drug-related crimes; incarcerating perpetrators; supervising and rehabilitating the addicted; and preventing, investigating, and treating overdoses.
The prescribing and dispensing rates in Greene County are well above national and Missouri averages. In 2010, the estimated rate of opioid prescriptions per 100 U.S. residents was 81.2. The same rate per 100 persons in Missouri was 91. The rate was 143.8 in Greene County. That rate has remained high in Greene County, at 108.9 in 2016, despite the national rate decreasing to just 66.5, and the Missouri rate improving to 80.4. In 2015, Greene County had approximately 70% more opioids prescribed per capita than the national average.
“This is truly an epidemic that transcends all facets of our community,” said Greene County Commissioner Lincoln Hough. “It is a public health and safety concern for every member of our community. The recovery for individuals that find themselves addicted to these opioids can take decades and the strain on their families and our community is heart wrenching. As we move forward with this litigation it’s important to remember that this is about holding manufacturers of these drugs accountable and taking the necessary steps to ensure we protect our community from the continued spread of these drugs. I believe it would be hard to find a member of Springfield or Greene County that has not been impacted, or has known someone that has been impacted by these drugs. It’s time to get control on this epidemic for the good of all our families, friends, and neighbors.”
The current epidemic is proof of what we already knew: As drug companies saw their profits increase, so too did drug overdose deaths and addiction treatment admissions.
Nearly 64,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2016, and at least two-thirds of those deaths were linked to opioids, a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others.
That means that more Americans die from drug overdoses than from car crashes, gun homicides and AIDS-related deaths combined.
While these deaths are increasingly linked to illicit opioids such as heroin and fentanyl, the rise in opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose originally began with the proliferation of prescription painkillers — which were flooded into cities and counties by profit-seeking pill manufacturers and distributors.
The ill-effects of opioid addiction and abuse have reached far beyond immediate painkiller users. For example - the number of babies born in Springfield with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), induced specifically by prenatal opioid use, has skyrocketed. Over 1,200 babies were born with NAS in Missouri in 2015 and 2016. One Springfield hospital fills at least one of its 28 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit rooms with an addicted baby each day.
The number of opioid-addicted infants born in Springfield surpasses that of any other city in the state.
The city continues to witness an increase in opioid overdoses. It is not unusual for local emergency responders to react to several each day. Although opioid overdose death rates were at 17.9 fatal overdoses per 100,000 people, in 2012, these local rates climbed to 31.6 per 100,000 in 2015. The overdose rate for Springfield citizens under the age of fifty years is almost twice the national average.
During the first six months of 2017, Springfield lost seven citizens to overdoses and Springfield Police seized 1,460.5 pounds of heroin. Greene County lost 22 people in the first nine months of 2017 from prescription opioid overdoses alone, and 23 more from illicit fentanyl and heroin overdoses.
“It is affecting almost every single man, woman and child within our community in some way,” said Springfield City Manager Greg Burris. “We have taken steps to help address the misuse of these opioids, such as the creation of a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and the launch of a Task Force on Substance Abuse and Mental Health, but a challenge of this scale demands a multi-layered response.”
On May 24, City and County officials and community partners announced the Healthy Living Alliance’s formation of a Task Force on Substance Abuse and Mental Health. The charge of the multidisciplinary group includes developing a Springfield-Greene County community action plan and determining the estimated overall economic/fiscal impact that unaddressed substance abuse and mental health issues place on the community, how much that impact is likely to grow if we do nothing more than what is being done today, and community-wide savings that could result if we implement recommended strategies.
The City of Springfield and Greene County are now ready to take the additional bold steps that nearly 500 counties and 300 cities and towns have taken. Each will file an opioid-related lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors.
The City plans to file its lawsuit in federal district court on May 30, 2018. The City’s lawsuit will likely be consolidated with lawsuits filed by other cities and counties around the country, for purposes of discovery and qualification of witnesses in what is called multidistrict litigation (MDL). Greene County is preparing to file a separate lawsuit.
“We want to do everything we can to address this crisis and a lawsuit of this nature will hopefully hold manufacturers and distributors more responsible,” said Greene County Commissioner Harold Bengsch. “In addition to this action, we will also continue to work closely with the newly formed Task Force on Substance Abuse and Mental Health to find solutions that further combat this issue and other addictive behaviors in our community.”
There are two principal legal arguments supporting these cases, one against opioid manufacturers and another primarily against opioid distributors.
Starting in the mid-1990s, opioid manufacturers unleashed a misleading marketing push underplaying the risks of opioid painkillers and exaggerating such drugs’ benefits. This constitutes false advertising with deadly consequences — by encouraging over-prescription and creating the unsubstantiated notion that opioids are good for chronic pain and not addictive. Direct-to-consumer advertising persuaded patients to believe the pills were safe and effective.
Meanwhile, opioid distributors supplied a large number of these drugs, even when were aware they were being distributed to people who were misusing the drugs. This claim is backed by data that shows that in some counties and states, there were more prescribed bottles of painkillers than there were people — some believe to be a sign that something was going very wrong. Federal laws require distributors to vigorously monitor the supply chain to ensure their products aren’t falling into the wrong hands. Letting these drugs proliferate violates those laws.
“Each defendant contributed to this crisis by flooding Springfield and other communities with excessive amounts of dangerous and addictive medications,” Burris said. “Defendants’ actions are a serious breach of the public trust, which has resulted in drug misuse and abuse, addiction, and deaths, and great expenses for Springfield, a first responder to the opioid epidemic.”
The City’s lawsuit details how distributor defendants knew, or should have known, that the millions of doses of highly addictive opioids they were shipping into Springfield were far in excess of the legitimate needs for Springfield and should have been stopped and/or reported to authorities as required by federal law, before such activities developed into the crisis the community now faces.
Though they had a duty to the consuming public, both collectively and individually, distributor defendants failed to take any action to effectively prevent, minimize, or reduce the distribution or availability of these dangerous drugs.
In addition, distributor defendants paid their sales force employees’ and managers’ bonuses and commissions based upon the sale of most, or all, of the highly addictive opioids supplied to Springfield. The result of these companies’ actions has been catastrophic for Springfield and its residents, while the companies themselves profited substantially from the opioids sold here.
The financial costs to Springfield include significant increases in expenditures on emergency services, including responding to overdose calls and crime reports that are the natural product of increased drug abuse. For example, the city added 21 police officers to its force and is seeking a grant to add seven new firefighters. The need for two additional fire stations has also been documented.
Costs to Springfield also include, but are not limited to: funding health insurance; providing medical treatment; investigating and prosecuting drug-related crimes; incarcerating perpetrators; supervising and rehabilitating the addicted; and preventing, investigating, and treating overdoses.
The prescribing and dispensing rates in Greene County are well above national and Missouri averages. In 2010, the estimated rate of opioid prescriptions per 100 U.S. residents was 81.2. The same rate per 100 persons in Missouri was 91. The rate was 143.8 in Greene County. That rate has remained high in Greene County, at 108.9 in 2016, despite the national rate decreasing to just 66.5, and the Missouri rate improving to 80.4. In 2015, Greene County had approximately 70% more opioids prescribed per capita than the national average.
“This is truly an epidemic that transcends all facets of our community,” said Greene County Commissioner Lincoln Hough. “It is a public health and safety concern for every member of our community. The recovery for individuals that find themselves addicted to these opioids can take decades and the strain on their families and our community is heart wrenching. As we move forward with this litigation it’s important to remember that this is about holding manufacturers of these drugs accountable and taking the necessary steps to ensure we protect our community from the continued spread of these drugs. I believe it would be hard to find a member of Springfield or Greene County that has not been impacted, or has known someone that has been impacted by these drugs. It’s time to get control on this epidemic for the good of all our families, friends, and neighbors.”
The current epidemic is proof of what we already knew: As drug companies saw their profits increase, so too did drug overdose deaths and addiction treatment admissions.
Agenda posted for Springfield City Council meeting
Upcoming Council Meeting Agenda
June 4, 2018 6:30 p.m.
Speakers must sign up with the City Clerk to speak to an issue on the agenda. Speakers are to limit their remarks to three to five minutes.
Note: Sponsorship does not denote Council member approval or support.
1.
ROLL CALL.
2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. May 21, 2018 City Council Meeting; May 22, 2018 And May 29, 2018 Special City Council Meetings.
3.
FINALIZATION AND APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDAS. CITIZENS WISHING TO SPEAK TO OR REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDAS MUST DO SO AT THIS TIME.
4.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS.
5.
CITY MANAGER REPORT AND RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS RAISED AT THE PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
6.
SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE. Citizens Have Spoken. May Be Voted On.
7.
Council Bill 2018-123. (Fisk)
A special ordinance setting a preliminary tax levy on real and personal property for current expenses and debt retirement of the City of Springfield, Missouri, and its boards and agencies for Fiscal Year 2018-2019; and declaring an emergency.
Documents:
8.
Council Bill 2018-124. (McClure)
A special ordinance adopting a budget for the City of Springfield, Missouri, for Fiscal Year July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019, providing that certain amounts shown in the budget document are appropriated for the various departments specified in said budget, and declaring an emergency.
Documents:
9.
Council Bill 2018-125. (Ollis)
A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an Addendum to the Amended and Restated Lease Agreement with the Agricultural and Mechanical Society of Springfield, Missouri, (“the Fair Board”) for the purpose of allowing the sale and serving of alcohol in additional areas during the annual Ozark Empire Fair, provided the Fair Board has a valid liquor license allowing service in such areas and complies with certain other requirements.
Documents:
10.
Council Bill 2018-127. (Ferguson)
A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a cost-sharing agreement with Willard Public Schools for the purpose of constructing turn lane additions on Mount Vernon Street and Miller Avenue; and amending the budget of the Department of Public Works for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 in the amount of $130,520.68 to appropriate the contribution to be received from Willard Public Schools pursuant to said cost-sharing agreement.
Documents:
11.
Council Bill 2018-128. (Simpson)
A special ordinance approving the plans and specifications for the Mount Vernon Street and Miller Avenue Project; accepting the bid of APAC-Central, Inc., in the amount of $212,421, for said project; and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with such bidder.
Documents:
12.
Council Bill 2018-129. (Schilling)
A special ordinance approving the plans and specifications for the Scenic Sidewalk Project; accepting the bid of Woody’s Express Trucking, LLC, in the amount of $229,883.73 for said project; and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with such bidder.
Documents:
13.
Council Bill 2018-130. (Fulnecky)
A special ordinance amending Special Ordinances 26739 and 26740 for the purpose of authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to exercise any necessary powers, including the execution of any agreements, which are required to complete projects funded by the 1/4-Cent Capital Improvements Sales Tax and the 1/8-Cent Transportation Sales Tax.
Documents:
14.
Council Bill 2018-131. (Schilling)
A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks Sponsorship Agreement for the purpose of continuing to support the drinking water and water quality activities of the Watershed Committee.
Documents:
15.
RESOLUTIONS. Citizens May Speak. May Be Voted On.
16.
Council Bill 2018-138. (Ollis)
A resolution granting a license to sell retail liquor by the drink, including Sunday sales, to The Greene County Agricultural and Mechanical Society, Inc., d/b/a Ozark Empire Fairgrounds located at 3001 North Grant Avenue, Springfield, Missouri, such license to include all of the fairgrounds within the perimeter fencing.
Documents:
17.
EMERGENCY BILLS.
18.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
19.
GRANTS.
20.
AMENDED BILLS.
21.
COUNCIL BILLS FOR PUBLIC HEARING. Citizens May Speak. Not Anticipated To Be Voted On.
22.
Council Bill 2018-139. (Schilling)
A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 36-306, ‘Official zoning map and rules for interpretation,’ by rezoning approximately .89 acres of property, generally located at 1201 South Campbell Avenue from R-SF, Residential Single-Family District to O-1, Office District; and adopting an updated ‘Official zoning map.’ (Staff and Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval.) (By: City of Springfield; 1201 South Campbell Avenue; Z-9-2018.)
Documents:
23.
Council Bill 2018-140. (Prater)
A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 36-306, ‘Official zoning map and rules for interpretation,’ by rezoning approximately 5 acres of property, generally located at 3344 East Cherry Street, from GM, General Manufacturing District, to HC, Highway Commercial District, and establishing Conditional Overlay District No. 148. (Staff and Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval.) (By: HMR Properties, LLP; 3344 East Cherry Street; Z-10-2018 w/COD #148.)
Documents:
24.
Council Bill 2018-141. (Simpson)
A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 36-306, ‘Official zoning map and rules for interpretation,’ by rezoning approximately 0.55 acres of property, generally located at 2960 East Allen Place, from R-SF, Residential Single-Family District to GR, General Retail District and establishing Conditional Overlay District No. 146. (Staff and Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval.) (By: Greenway Studios, LLC; 2960 East Allen Place; Z-8-2018 w/COD #146 and Conditional Use Permit 435.)
Documents:
25.
Council Bill 2018-142. (Simpson)
A special ordinance authorizing the issuance of Conditional Use Permit No. 435 to allow a self-service storage facility in a GR, General Retail District, generally located at 2960 East Allen Place (Staff and Planning and Zoning Commission both recommend approval.)
Documents:
26.
Council Bill 2018-143. (Ferguson)
A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 36-306, ‘Official zoning map and rules for interpretation,’ by rezoning approximately 3.35 acres of property, generally located at 601, 615, and 645 North West Bypass and 3511 West Waddill Street, from GM, General Manufacturing District, to HC, Highway Commercial, and establishing Conditional Overlay District No. 149. (Staff and Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval.) (By: Richard K. Wilson Irrevocable Trust; 601, 615, and 645 North West Bypass and 3511 West Waddill Street; Z-11-2018 w/COD #149.)
Documents:
27.
Council Bill 2018-144. (Schilling)
A general ordinance amending Section 1-9 of the Springfield City Code, ‘City Limits,’ by annexing approximately 1.3 acres of property into the City of Springfield, Missouri, generally located at 3661 West Sunshine Street, and generally referenced as Annexation A-1-18; and amending the Springfield City Code, Chapter 46, Section 46-1, ‘Boundaries of wards, precincts and council zones,’ by adding this property to the ward and precinct assigned by the County Clerk.
Documents:
28.
Council Bill 2018-145. (Schilling)
A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 36-306, ‘Official zoning map and rules for interpretation,’ by rezoning approximately 1.3 acres of property, generally located at 3661 West Sunshine Street, from County C-2, General Commercial District, to GR, General Retail District, and establishing Conditional Overlay District No. 147. (Staff and Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval.) (By: Michael & Victor Paulik; 3661 West Sunshine Street; Z-12-2018 w/COD #147.)
Documents:
29.
FIRST READING BILLS. Citizens May Speak. Not Anticipated To Be Voted On.
30.
Council Bill 2018-132. (Hosmer)
A general ordinance amending Springfield City Code, Chapter 70, ‘Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations,’ Article III, ‘Administration, Investigation and Collection Procedures for Licenses, Taxes and Permits,’ Division 3, ‘Collection Procedures,’ Section 70-151, ‘Purpose of Division,’ by allowing waiver of collection procedures by the Director of Finance in specified circumstances.
Documents:
31.
Council Bill 2018-133. (Fisk)
A general ordinance amending Springfield City Code, Chapter 1, ‘General Provisions,’ by enacting Section 1-15, ‘Self-Preemption,’ related to preemption by or changes in federal or state law.
Documents:
32.
Council Bill 2018-134. (Fisk)
A general ordinance amending Springfield City Code, Chapter 1, ‘General Provisions,’ by enacting Section 1-14, ‘Enforcement; Attorney Fees,’ describing enforcement provisions and providing that the City’s costs and attorney fees shall be paid by persons determined to have violated the City Code.
Documents:
33.
Council Bill 2018-146. (Ollis)
A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an agreement with the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc., in the amount of $3,567,400, which authorizes the budget and marketing plan for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 to promote travel and tourism within the City of Springfield.
Documents:
34.
Council Bill 2018-147. (Fulnecky)
A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an agreement with the Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission, Inc., in the amount of $85,350 to promote the attraction of sporting events for the community.
Documents:
35.
Council Bill 2018-148. (Ferguson)
A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager or his designee to enter into a contract for the purchase of land generally located at 1900 and 1904 West College Street, for the purpose of construction of Fire Station 13, and to execute all necessary documents in support thereof. (Planning and Zoning Commission approved this Request to Acquire, and staff recommends approval.)
Documents:
36.
Council Bill 2018-149. (Ollis)
A special ordinance approving the Annual Maintenance Contract for Traffic Signals for Fiscal Year 2018-2019; accepting the bid of Ewing Signal Construction, LLC, in the amount of $147,355.00, for an on-call services contract; and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with such bidder.
Documents:
37.
Council Bill 2018-150. (Simpson)
A special ordinance approving the plans and specifications for Stormwater Improvements along Silsby Street, between Kimbrough and Jefferson Avenues; accepting the bid of Hunter Chase & Associates, Inc., in the amount of $145,769.45, for the project; and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with such bidder.
Documents:
38.
Council Bill 2018-151. (Hosmer)
A special ordinance authorizing and directing the issuance, sale and delivery by the City of Springfield, Missouri, of Taxable Special Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2018A, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,100,000 for the purpose of providing funds to refund the Series 2009 Refunded Bonds; authorizing and approving certain documents in connection with the issuance of the Bonds; and authorizing certain other documents and actions in connection therewith.
Documents:
39.
Council Bill 2018-152. (McClure)
A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to accept a donation of 888 smoke alarms, valued at $10,000, from Springfield Public Schools to be used by the Springfield Fire Department in support of the City’s free smoke alarm program.
Documents:
40.
Council Bill 2018-153. (McClure)
A general ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article III, Division 1 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Springfield, Missouri, Section 2.92, known as the ‘Salary Ordinance,’ relating to salary grades for various job titles within the City service as contained in the Professional, Administrative and Technical Schedule, the Crafts, Trades and Labor Schedule, the Fire Protection Schedule, and the Law Enforcement Schedule, by making provision for two (2) new job titles within the Professional, Administrative and Technical and Crafts, Trades and Labor Schedules; by providing pay adjustments for employees on the Professional, Administrative and Technical and Crafts, Trades and Labor Schedules, as well as for certain non-union Salary Grades in the Fire Protection and Law Enforcement Schedules; and by amending G.O. 5089, Section 5(b), as amended by G.O. 5278, Section 10(b), relating to the Law Enforcement Schedule.
Documents:
41.
Council Bill 2018-154. (Fisk)
A general ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article III, Division 1 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Springfield, Missouri, Section 2-91, known as the ‘Merit System Rules and Regulations,’ by amending portions of the Merit Rules, specifically Merit Rules 6.6, 21.2 (c.1), and 21.7; and by establishing an effective date for said Merit Rule changes (Changes to the Merit Rule requiring Personnel Board approval has Personnel Board support).
Documents:
42.
Council Bill 2018-155. (Ferguson)
A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a Surface Transportation Program – Urban Agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission; and to approve a budget adjustment amending the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 budget in the amount of $2,128,570.00 appropriating $2,000,000.00 in federal Surface Transportation Block Grant funds, $64,285.00 in 1/4-Cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax funds, and $64,285.00 in 1/8-Cent Transportation Sales Tax funds for the purpose of funding the rehabilitation of the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway from Chase Street to Commercial Street.
Documents:
43.
Council Bill 2018-156. (Fulnecky)
A special ordinance declaring the necessity of condemning rights-of-way over, under, and through the property generally located at the northwest corner of Primrose Street and Jefferson Avenue in the City of Springfield, Missouri; authorizing certain officers, or their designees, to do all things necessary to carry out the terms of this Ordinance; and for the purpose of completing the Primrose Street (South Avenue to Kimbrough Avenue) Improvement Project.
Documents:
44.
Council Bill 2018-157. (Ferguson)
A special ordinance amending a redevelopment agreement with the Bailey School Redevelopment Corporation regarding the redevelopment of an area generally located at 501 West Central Street to extend the time for completion until December 31, 2019; and authorizing the City Manager to execute an addendum to said redevelopment agreement. (Staff recommends approval.)
Documents:
45.
Council Bill 2018-158. (Ferguson)
A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a Lease Agreement with the Kirk A. Heyle Trust for the purpose of leasing property at 911 West Chestnut Street for use by the Departments of Public Works and Environmental Services as office and work space.
Documents:
46.
PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, AND COMMUNICATIONS.
47.
NEW BUSINESS.
The Mayor recommends the following appointment to the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc: Brent Parker to fill the unexpired term of Phillip Burgess. Mr. Parker’s term will expire January 1, 2019.
The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following appointments to the Board of Equalization: Robert Baldwin and Gregory Loftin with terms to expire April 1, 2021.
The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following appointments to the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development: Kate Stockton with term to expire May 1, 2021; and David Carr to fill the unexpired term of Mary Ann Jennings, and Brandy McShane to fill the unexpired term of Delia Croessmann. Mr. Carr and Ms. McShane’s terms will expire May 1, 2020.
The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following reappointment to the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development: Christina Dicken with term to expire May 1, 2021.
The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following appointments to the Citizens’ Tax Oversight Committee: Tina McManus with term to expire May 1, 2020; Charles Cowherd with term to expire May 1, 2021; and Keith Slater to fill the unexpired term of Gene Hartley. Mr. Slater’s term will expire May 1, 2021.
The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following reappointment to the Citizens’ Tax Oversight Committee: David Troyer with term to expire May 1, 2021.
The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following appointment to the Landmarks Board: Layne Hunton to fill the unexpired term of Matthew Cadle. Mr. Hunton’s term will expire November 1, 2018.
As per RSMo. 109.230 (4), City records that are on file in the City Clerk’s office and have met the retention schedule will be destroyed in compliance with the guidelines established by the Secretary of State’s office.
The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following appointments to the Board of Equalization: Robert Baldwin and Gregory Loftin with terms to expire April 1, 2021.
The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following appointments to the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development: Kate Stockton with term to expire May 1, 2021; and David Carr to fill the unexpired term of Mary Ann Jennings, and Brandy McShane to fill the unexpired term of Delia Croessmann. Mr. Carr and Ms. McShane’s terms will expire May 1, 2020.
The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following reappointment to the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development: Christina Dicken with term to expire May 1, 2021.
The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following appointments to the Citizens’ Tax Oversight Committee: Tina McManus with term to expire May 1, 2020; Charles Cowherd with term to expire May 1, 2021; and Keith Slater to fill the unexpired term of Gene Hartley. Mr. Slater’s term will expire May 1, 2021.
The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following reappointment to the Citizens’ Tax Oversight Committee: David Troyer with term to expire May 1, 2021.
The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following appointment to the Landmarks Board: Layne Hunton to fill the unexpired term of Matthew Cadle. Mr. Hunton’s term will expire November 1, 2018.
As per RSMo. 109.230 (4), City records that are on file in the City Clerk’s office and have met the retention schedule will be destroyed in compliance with the guidelines established by the Secretary of State’s office.
48.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
49.
MISCELLANEOUS.
50.
CONSENT AGENDA – FIRST READING BILLS.
51.
CONSENT AGENDA – ONE READING BILLS.
52.
CONSENT AGENDA – SECOND READING BILLS.
53.
BOARD CONFIRMATIONS.
Confirm the following appointment to the Springfield-Greene County Public Library Board: Emily Denniston to fill the unexpired term of Matthew Simpson. Ms. Denniston’s term will expire July 1, 2020.
Confirm the following appointments to the Art Museum Board: Matt Edwards, with a term to expire June 1, 2021 and Tiffany Brunner, to fill the unexpired term of Jennifer Kennally. Ms. Brunner’s term will expire June 1, 2020.
Confirm the following reappointments to the Art Museum Board: Norene Rinker and Jeffrey Schmitt, with terms to expire June 1, 2021.
Confirm the following appointments to the Art Museum Board: Matt Edwards, with a term to expire June 1, 2021 and Tiffany Brunner, to fill the unexpired term of Jennifer Kennally. Ms. Brunner’s term will expire June 1, 2020.
Confirm the following reappointments to the Art Museum Board: Norene Rinker and Jeffrey Schmitt, with terms to expire June 1, 2021.
54.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA.
55.
ADJOURN.
Springfield Police searching for missing man, disappearance described as suspicious
The Springfield Police Department is investigating a report of a missing person and is asking for assistance from the public.
The missing person is identified as RONALD J. BRIGHTWELL, a 35-year-old white male. He is approximately 175 pounds, 6 feet 1 inches tall, with brown hair, and brown eyes. Brightwell was last seen in November 2012, in Springfield, MO.
Brightwell went by the alias of “Chi Town” and “RJ”.
Information has been received which indicates Brightwell’s disappearance is suspicious. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477) or www.P3tips.com
Information has been received which indicates Brightwell’s disappearance is suspicious. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477) or www.P3tips.com
Springfield citizen resource coordinator retiring June 1
Potholes, vacant buildings, tall weeds, grimy grocery carts and urban beavers. These are just a few examples of the many citizen service requests answered by Citizen Resource Coordinator Claudia Crighton over the years. After more than 17 years and hundreds of thousands of calls, Crighton will take off her headset for the last time on June 1.
“I have no idea how many total calls I’ve taken over the 17 years I have been with the City, but it is probably approaching 750,000-800,000 – maybe more,” Crighton said.
The Citizen Resource Center, located on the first floor of the Busch Municipal Building, receives approximately 60,000 to 70,000 calls per year, routing more than 15,000 service requests to City departments such as Public Works, Building Development Services, Planning and Development, Public Information and Civic Engagement, and others.
“Every day is a new day,” says Crighton. “We have so many interesting calls. It is very fulfilling to know you are helping people with issues they can’t fix themselves.”
Crighton has always loved working with the public. So much so, that in 2013, she presented her vision for a stand-alone center for citizen service requests and questions to Director of Public Information and Civic Engagement Cora Scott, who loved the idea.
“Claudia has done an amazing job building the CRC into what it is today,” Scott said. “She is truly dedicated to helping citizens, no matter what the issue. She maintains a positive attitude and people appreciate her and the work done in the center. We will miss her very much.”
Crighton is nicknamed “The Claudiapedia” by CRC staff members McKensie Phillips and Regina Crumrine.
“Whether it’s City information you’re looking for, a phone number that Google couldn’t provide, or maybe you can’t remember where that one person lives who had that one complaint last month, Claudia has your answer,” Phillips says.
In addition to supervising the CRC, Crighton manages the Busch building’s front desk and its security guard, John Dowdy. She also serves on the steering committee of the MyCity customer service committee.
Because of her extensive knowledge and willingness to help, Crighton has built a relationship of trust among Springfield citizens.
“People know us in the CRC; a lot of callers know our names, which makes them feel more connected to us. They call us knowing we will listen to their issue and help them if we can,” she says.
Crighton is known at the City for going the extra mile for citizens.
“Sometimes it takes research. Several times a day, we call different departments to ask about a project or something that the City is working on,” Crighton said. “Finding the answer and calling the customer back is always the best option. Citizens are always so happy when they get a ‘real person’ to answer the phone,” she added.
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