Kansas

Kansas AG addresses Congress concerning retail theft, lack of prosecution

Published

1 year ago

June 14, 2023

Kansas AG addresses Congress concerning retail theft, lack of prosecution

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The increase in major retail theft across the U.S. is getting attention on Capitol Hill. It’s a problem impacting businesses in every state. Looking to curb the problem in Kansas, Attorney General Kris Kobach testified Tuesday at a House Judiciary Committee hearing, highlighting what’s happening in his state.

Kobach’s testimony comes on the heels of a new Kansas law set to take affect July 1. That law gives Kobach’s office more authority to prosecute retail theft rings.

In April, Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan reported retail theft in Wichita up more than 30% compared to the first few months of 2022. Data showed theft numbers reported by retail stores in Wichita at or among the worst nationally for several companies.

“Victoria’s Secret is the number four store out of 2,000 stores in America, here in Wichita [at] $30,000 in loss per month. Cabelas’ loss prevention says they are number one in loss in the nation here in Wichita. Walmart stores at 501 E. Pawnee, at Kellogg and Dugan are top five for theft in the region,” said Chief Sullivan in April.

In all, Wichita police report seeing a 38% increase in retail theft this year. A problem law enforcement across the U.S. face is trying to crack down on organized retail crime, a criminal enterprise involving multiple criminals stealing items from multiple stores in multiple areas, then selling the stolen goods.

These crimes, Kobach said, are taking their toll on the Kansas judicial system.

“Many of the cases do not get prosecuted, a huge number do not get prosecuted due to the lack of prosecutorial capacity at the county level,” Kobach said.

A key factor Kobach addressed concerns property crimes not getting the same attention as personal crimes.

“Many [district attorneys] simply have too large of a stack of crimes. Non-person crimes like this get moved to the bottom of the stack and consequently don’t get prosecuted.

With the number of thefts so high, police too are overwhelmed, Kobach told congressional members of the House Judiciary Committee.

“Police departments only have a limited number of detectives, and if you’ve got a multiple number of stores getting hit multiple times each day, they don’t have the capacity to investigate all of them,” Kobach said.

Then, if a thief is arrested, they’re often back on the streets before the end of the day, the Kansas AG said.

“Many courts are setting bail too low for the criminals, much lower than they have in the past,” Kobach said.

Even with all of the problems, Kobach said he believes increased prosecutions for retail thefts will be a deterrent.

“If we prosecute more cases, it’s not rocket science, the problem will diminish if we increase the amount of prosecutions,” Kobach said.

Increasing prosecutions is what new state law will allow. In April, Kobach said his office was working with police departments and retail companies to create a Kansas Organized Retail Crime Task Force to help look into better ways of thwarting the criminal enterprise.

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Kansas

KC Current’s Chawinga named NWSL MVP

Published

7 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Nov 22, 2024, 10:00 AM ET

Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga was named the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League MVP on Friday, one day ahead of the league’s championship match.

Chawinga set a new single-season NWSL record with 20 goals this year for the Current.

She also scored the lone goal in the team’s quarterfinal victory and both goals in the championship of the NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup last month.

“From the moment Temwa came to Kansas City, we knew she was capable of playing at an MVP level,” general manager Caitlin Carducci said in a statement.

“Not only has she been an incredible player on the pitch, she’s also been an incredible teammate and representative of the organization off it. Temwa laid an incredible foundation with her play in 2024, and we’re so excited for what’s to come in the years ahead.”

Chawinga is the eighth NWSL Golden Boot winner to also win MVP in the same season since the league’s launch in 2013. She is the first African international to win either award.

The 26-year-old Malawi international arrived in Kansas City this year from the Chinese Super League and took the league by storm in the first season with her eye for goal and her game-changing speed.

Chawinga scored in 13 of the Current’s final 14 matches of the regular season, including goals in eight straight games, which was a first in league history.

She also scored a goal against all 13 other NWSL teams this season, another first, and she added five assists to the Current’s league-record 57 goals this season.

Chawinga’s 20 goals broke Sam Kerr’s previous record of 18 in a season, which Kerr scored in 21 games.

Chawinga played in 25 regular-season games this year.

The next closest scorer in the regular season was Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda, who finished with 13 goals.

Banda scored in last week’s semifinal to help Orlando eliminate Kansas City from the playoffs.

Orlando takes on the Washington Spirit on Saturday in the NWSL Championship at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City.

History of NWSL MVPs

2013: Lauren Holiday, FC Kansas City midfielder

2014: Kim Little, Seattle Reign FC midfielder

2015: Crystal Dunn, Washington Spirit forward

2016: Lynn Williams, Western New York Flash forward

2017: Sam Kerr, Sky Blue FC forward

2018: Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns FC midfielder

2019: Sam Kerr: Chicago Red Stars forward

2021: Jess Fishlock, OL Reign midfielder

2022: Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns FC forward

2023: Kerolin, North Carolina Courage forward

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Kansas

Top takeaways from Iowa's win over Kansas

Published

16 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Top takeaways from Iowa's win over Kansas

The Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls sounded like Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday night as a capacity crowd of 3,400 watched Iowa defeat Kansas 71-58. The Hawkeyes jumped out to an 18-4 lead after the first quarter and never let the lead dip below eight points the rest of the way. They are now 5-0 for the first time since 2017.

Here are my top takeaways from the win and what it means for Iowa moving forward.

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Kansas State Coaches Searching For Answers After Two-Game Skid

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Kansas State Coaches Searching For Answers After Two-Game Skid

A season that began with national championship aspirations is now in danger of ending in disappointment.

Three weeks ago, the Kansas State Wildcats controlled their hopes of making the Big 12 title game and possibly the College Football Playoff. Now, they are just searching for another victory to salvage a once promising season.

“Obviously a disappointing performance on Saturday,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said about Saturday’s loss to Arizona State. “We had a long staff meeting yesterday and talked about a lot of things. We looked at offense, defense and special teams. I don’t think anybody could point a finger at anybody because I don’t think any unit played up to its capabilities.”

The Wildcats were in the driver’s seat after a victory against rival Kansas Oct. 26 in the annual Sunflower State Showdown. They were 7-1 with wins against Oklahoma State and Colorado, the lone blemish coming against BYU.

The victory against the Jayhawks was followed by two upset losses to Houston and the Sun Devils, which all but ended their chances of making the Big 12 championship game.

With two games left against Cincinnati and Iowa State, the Wildcats are basically playing for a more appealing bowl game.

“Our job this week is to right the ship, because we have another opportunity,” Klieman said. “I want our seniors to have an opportunity to go out well.”

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Kansas State On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com

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