Lamar Police Department update

(From Lamar Deputy Police Chief John Davis)

I just wanted to take a moment to bring the citizens of Lamar up to speed on a few things that have been happening in the police department here in Lamar. In the last couple of weeks, the officers have been extremely busy in their mission to help keep Lamar a great community not only to work in, but also to live and raise a family.

One case that they dealt with was a kidnapping victim who was able to get away from her captor at a local business and contact the police department. Officers responded, obtained enough information, and relayed it to the Barton County Sheriff’s office and Missouri State Highway Patrol. A trooper with the MSHP was able to locate and stop the suspect south of Lamar. LPD officers then worked with the victim and Kansas City Police investigators. The suspect was turned over to that department for charges. This is a prime example of teamwork within the Law Enforcement community.

Officers of the LPD and Ozark Drug Task Force conducted an undercover operation that concluded with the arrest of a subject for distribution of a controlled substance. This not only took drugs off the streets of Lamar; but also cleared an active larceny case that we had been investigating.

As many of Lamar’s citizens knew, we experienced several larcenies from motor vehicles week before last. LPD officers began the investigation and worked as a team while investigating these crimes. The outcome from the investigation continues. However, through the officers’ diligence and desire to find the criminal, they affected one arrest of a suspect. This not only recovered some of the stolen property, which included a stolen handgun, but we were able to take another illegal firearm off the streets of Lamar.

We also held and continue to do so on a daily basis, the Prescription Drug Take Back Program. Unwanted prescription Drugs can be dropped off at the Police Department so they can be properly destroyed. This reporting period we had a total of 17lbs of prescription drugs turned in. This program is designed to keep the drugs from being introduced to the City Sewer System and eventually into the ground water. If you have unwanted prescription drugs, feel free to bring them to the police department to be destroyed.

Officers Greg Evans and Rawn Toler were once again assisted by McGruff The Crime Fighting Dog, played by Brodie Davis, in the visiting and giving of Halloween Safety tips to local children of Lamar. In all they visited and talked with over 600 children on the importance of being safe while out Trick or Treating. The police department has had this program for several years and still considers it a vital program to help keep the kids safe.

The last bit of news I would like to share is the changing of the School Zone hours. In the City Council Meeting on November 21st, the City Council passed a revised ordinance for the times in the school zones. The police officers had noticed that the children were arriving earlier in the day than what was covered by the present school zones reducing the speed limits. After meeting with the Ordinance Committee and discussing this issue, it was brought before the full Council to change the times. The new times will take effect on January 1, 2017. New signs are being ordered and will be in place before this date. The time was changed from the current 7:45AM to 3:45PM to 7:15AM to 3:30PM. Again, I would like to re-emphasize, we are still seeing drivers speeding after they have dropped their children off at school. Please remember the speed limit does not change back to 30mph until you have seen the sign that states you have reached the “End of School Zone.” As always, we appreciate everyone’s help and understanding in keeping the kids safe in their travels to and from our great school system.



The Lamar Police Department is accepting applications for a part time Nuisance Abatement Officer. This position will be for 16 hours per week. The person hired will assist Nuisance Abatement Officer, Sandy Alexander, in dealing with the properties that fall under the nuisance ordinance such as derelict vehicles, Junk, and over grown vegetation. The person hired will also fill in at times in the Animal Control position so that we can continue to handle animal complaints when ACO Alexander is not available. Anyone interested please obtain an application from Administrative Assistant, Diane Helms, at the police Department, or you may down load a copy from the City of Lamar website at https://cityoflamar.org/2016/11/23/employment-application/ interviews will be conducted in the near future.