County prepares legislative push for nuisance abatement expansion

RCPD reallocates jail space due to increase in female inmates

RCPD director search committee begins work

Citizens continue opposition to $31.7 million DOJ grant for RCPD

Juvenile detention center overcrowding to impact county budget

MPO Safe Passage program sees early success

County prepares legislative push for nuisance abatement expansion

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Riley County is working with the Kansas Association of Counties to lobby the Kansas Legislature to extend or remove the sunset clause on criminal nuisance abatement laws. County Counselor Jacob Hansen plans to present "before and after" photographs of the county's ongoing property cleanup at 2820 Nelson's Landing in unincorporated Riley County to state officials to demonstrate the local necessity and aesthetic impact of the abatement program.

RCPD reallocates jail space due to increase in female inmates

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - The Riley County Jail is reconfiguring its housing pods to accommodate a higher number of female inmates, Riley County Police Department Deputy Director Erin Freidline told the Riley County Commission. The jail's average daily population sits at 152, with 18 to 20 inmates currently housed in other jurisdictions. To ease operational strain, the county plans to send five to seven female inmates to off-site area agencies, allowing the jail to dedicate two pods to females and bring some male inmates back to the local facility.

RCPD director search committee begins work

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - A search committee tasked with finding the next director of the Riley County Police Department held its first meeting to outline the hiring process. The committee is looking for a replacement for current RCPD Director Brian Peete, who is resigning from the position effective at the end of the year. The full Riley County Law Enforcement Agency board will review the committee's planned procedures at its next meeting to ensure the search remains on track.

Citizens continue opposition to $31.7 million DOJ grant for RCPD

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Residents once again used the public comment period to urge the Riley County Commission to reject a $31.7 million U.S. Department of Justice grant intended for the Riley County Police Department's facility needs. Opponents argued the funding is grossly disproportionate to the jail's actual housing costs and expressed concerns over the grant's requirements for cooperation with federal immigration enforcement through the 287(g) program. As an alternative, one unidentified speaker proposed a half-cent county sales tax to fund local police needs while maintaining departmental independence.

Juvenile detention center overcrowding to impact county budget

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Riley County is significantly over its budgeted days at the North Central Kansas Juvenile Detention Facility due to high facility numbers and slow judicial processing, which will result in a large year-end bill for the county. It was reported during the meeting that three other participating counties are also over their budgeted days for the year.

MPO Safe Passage program sees early success

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - A newly implemented Safe Passage program designed to keep impaired drivers off the roads provided approximately 400 rides over the past two Saturdays. Conducted in cooperation with Lyft, the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization, and KDOT, the initiative provides discounted rides targeting eligible Fort Riley soldiers (E-5 and below) for travel between the post, Manhattan, and Junction City. Commissioners noted the program is proving highly successful, and the MPO will soon analyze collected data to better tailor the service during peak weekend hours.

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