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Enhanced Safety Measures Include Class A Officers, Upgraded Cameras, and Continued Police Presence
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Shoppers and employees at Country Club Plaza will begin seeing a visible increase in security presence, as the shopping district’s new owners, Highland Park (HP) Village, bring in armed security guards starting Monday.
The Dallas-based ownership group confirmed that it has hired Metro Public Safety, a private security company based in Gladstone, to provide Class A armed guards to patrol the area. The guards were spotted in training throughout the weekend, walking 47th Street and Broadway, clad in black uniforms.
HP Village said the shift from unarmed to armed officers is part of a broader safety initiative designed to restore confidence and ensure a safe, family-friendly environment in one of Kansas City’s most well-known retail and dining districts.
What’s New in the Plaza’s Security Plan
In a statement, Victoria Snee, Chief Marketing Officer for HP Village, outlined key upgrades:
- Deployment of Class A security officers, who have the legal authority to detain suspects
- Increased highly trained patrol coverage across all shifts
- Expanded use of patrol vehicles
- Enhanced security cameras, including new installations and tech upgrades
- Continued off-duty Kansas City Police Department presence
“The safety and security of our customers remains our top priority at Country Club Plaza,” Snee said.
Mixed Reactions from Plaza Workers and Shoppers
Many people working in or visiting the Plaza welcomed the added security, especially given recent incidents.
Hunter Wilson, who works in the area, said his car was recently broken into.
“I was at work one day, and I came back out to my car, and my window was broken,” he said. “They basically just took everything out of my car.” Wilson supports the idea of armed guards if it helps deter theft.
Emily Lopez, a manager at Aldo, praised the approach, drawing comparisons to her experience at St. Louis’ Galleria Mall.
“They had armed security. They were more on things like cameras, 24-hour surveillance. Like if anything goes wrong with your car, they have the capture of that, and that’s what we need too… definitely,” Lopez said.
But not everyone is convinced the move is necessary.
Ursula Terrasi, owner of Terrasi Living & Scandia Home, questioned the need for armed guards in the upscale district.
“We never felt that we were in any kind of situation or danger,” she said, adding that her store had not experienced any issues that warranted such a visible show of force.
Security Starts Monday
While the new officers were in training over the weekend, the official deployment of armed patrols begins Monday. HP Village has yet to comment on the specifics of guard training but emphasized the Class A status, which under Missouri law authorizes them to detain individuals suspected of criminal activity.
This move is the latest in a series of initiatives across urban commercial zones responding to concerns about crime, public safety, and maintaining a welcoming environment for both businesses and patrons.
