It is the belief of the Drug Abatement Response Team that property owners, whether they own or rent the property, have an obligation to the neighborhood where the property is located. Their obligation is to ensure that the property is an asset to the community and not a liability, and it is used to enhance and not diminish the quality of life within the area.
DART is a team comprised of representatives from the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office, Fire Marshal's Office, Division of Family Services, Kansas City Police Department, utility companies, and the Neighborhood Preservation Division. Neighborhood Preservation's DART inspector is Keith Harrison. He can be reached in his office at (816) 513-9012 or by cell phone at (816) 812-1296. His e-mail is keith_harrison@kcmo.org.
Most DART initial inspections result from warrants served by the Street Narcotics Unit on drug houses. After the warrant is served, DART is notified and then inspects the property. During this inspection, if violations exist that render the property unfit for human habitation, the property is posted and ordered vacated. All other violations are handled using the normal business processes.
DART sends the Police Department a daily listing all posted DART properties. The police monitor these properties and arrest individuals found in the structures if they do not have active work access permits, or if it is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
After a property is brought to code to the point it is fit for human habitation, a certificate of reoccupancy is given to the owner, allowing it to be reoccupied. If other violations still exist on the property, the case is referred to the area inspector for further enforcement.
