BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has asked the Missouri Task Force 1 to deploy to Texas ahead of Tropical Storm Beryl.
According to the Boone County Fire Department, the task force has been deployed as a Type 3 Team, meaning there will be 37 members plus 10 ground support personnel with an emphasis on water rescue capabilities. The Missouri Task Force will meet the Tennessee Task Force 1 in College Station, Texas, where both teams will stage.
“Missouri Task Force 1 has also deployed three members as part of a FEMA Incident Support Team. These three members are filling the rolls of Operations Section Chief, Communications Unit Leader and a Hazmat Specialist. These members will also be working out of College Station, Texas,” the fire department said.
The task force will arrive in College Station Sunday afternoon.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center predicted late Friday that Beryl would intensify on Saturday before making landfall, prompting expanded hurricane and storm surge watches.
“There is an increasing risk of damaging hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge in portions of northeastern Mexico and the lower and middle Texas coast late Sunday and Monday,” the center warned.
Texas officials warned the state’s entire coastline to brace for possible flooding, heavy rain, and wind as they wait for a more defined path of the storm. On Friday, the hurricane center issued hurricane and storm surge watches for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande north to San Luis Pass, less than 80 miles (128.75 kilometers) south of Houston.
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Sheriff Jeff Crites with the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department has launched a community education series, and the Daily Journal is pleased to share it with our readers. This installment informs about Missouri’s “Book and Release” law.
In 2019 Missouri passed legislation that changed how certain arrests are handled. Think you know what it means? Let’s find out!
Be sure to read the full explanation at the end of the quiz.
Question 1:
Under Missouri’s Book and Release law, what happens to individuals arrested for nonviolent offenses like trespassing or shoplifting?
A) They are held in jail until trial
B) They are immediately released without any charges
C) They are booked, given a court date, and released without being held in jail
D) They must post bail before release
Question 2:
Who decides whether someone is released under this law?
A) The arresting officer
B) The local police department
C) The law itself – officers must follow the statute
D) The Mayor
Question 3:
What is the primary goal of the Book and Release policy?
A) Increase jail occupancy
B) Reduce paperwork for police
C) Minimize unnecessary pretrial detention for low-level offenses
D) Eliminate court appearances
Question 4:
True or False: The Book and Release law applies to all criminal offenses in Missouri.
________________________________________
Answers:
1. C – Individuals are processed (fingerprinted, photographed, etc.), given a court date, and released without being jailed.
2. C – Law enforcement does not make discretionary decisions about release; they are required to follow the statute.
3. C – The law aims to reduce strain on jails and avoid holding people unnecessarily for minor infractions.
4. False – It applies only to certain nonviolent, low-level offenses.
________________________________________
Did you get them all right?
Missouri’s Book and Release legislation was enacted as part of broader criminal justice reforms that took effect in 2019. Specifically, the Missouri Supreme Court implemented new rules that changed how arrests and pretrial procedures are handled for certain nonviolent offenses. These rules were designed to reduce pretrial detention and ensure that individuals charged with low-level crimes are not held in jail because they can’t afford bail.
Missouri’s Book and Release law applies to a specific set of nonviolent, low-level offenses, where the goal is to avoid unnecessary pretrial detention for individuals who pose little risk to public safety. While the law doesn’t list every offense by name, here’s a general breakdown of the types of crimes typically covered:
Common Offenses Eligible for Book and Release
• Trespassing
• Shoplifting or petty theft
• Driving with a suspended license
• Disorderly conduct
• Minor drug possession (e.g., small amounts of marijuana)
• Vandalism (low-dollar damage)
• Public intoxication
• Failure to appear (in some cases)
These offenses are usually classified as misdemeanors or ordinance violations, and the law mandates that officers issue a citation and release the individual after booking, rather than holding them in jail.
Offenses Not Covered
The law does not apply to:
• Violent crimes (e.g., assault, robbery, domestic violence)
• Felony-level offenses
• Crimes involving weapons or threats
• Repeat offenses that indicate a flight risk or danger to the public
Law enforcement does not decide who gets released. The statute itself determines eligibility, and officers are required to follow it. This ensures consistent treatment across jurisdictions and removes discretionary bias from the process.
This information is a factual explanation of Missouri law and established criminal‑procedure rules. The details provided reflect statutory requirements and Missouri Supreme Court mandates, not personal opinion or commentary.
Stay safe and take care!
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Highway Patrol issued a Silver Alert on Saturday for 78-year-old John Michael Culbertson, who was last seen in Raytown at about 11:30 a.m.
The highway patrol says Culbertson has dementia and wandered away from his home. They add that he has a history of eloping and has entered strangers’ homes in the past.
He’s a white man who is 5’10” and weighs 160 pounds. He has white hair, blue eyes, and was wearing a navy blue sun hat, dark blue shirt, and cut-off jeans. His home is on Northern Avenue near 53rd and Sterling.
If you’ve seen him or know where he is, call 911 or Raytown police at (816) 737-6020.
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