Community event hosted at Linwood Shopping Center as officers continue their patrol

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – WeDevelopment Federal Credit Union at 31st and Prospect Avenue opened a parking lot for food trucks, giveaways and candy for kids for a community-based First Friday event.

The event on Oct. 4, was sponsored by KC BizCare and went from 3:30 to 6 p.m. It took place in the parking lot on the corner of the intersection. An intersection known for different reasons in recent months as Kansas City, Missouri Police officers continue patrolling the area.

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WeDevelopment Federal Credit Union CEO Shirley Saffold said, “It’s safe here and we have people here that are surrounding us to make sure we’re good.”

Friday’s get-together was about bringing together local businesses and entrepreneurs from the Prospect Corridor and Linwood Shopping Center to show a united front to support the community.

“I’ve been here since July 1, and I wanted to get outside and meet the community and talk with them and tell them all the things we have to offer here,” said Saffold. “I grew up in this neighborhood, and I’m passionate about this area and they took the time to bring all of these awesome businesses here.”

One of those businesses is City Gear next door to WeDevelopment, where Assistant Manager Shakeem Sewell said it has both a good energy and atmosphere inside.

Events like the one on Friday showed what’s possible for people exploring, especially those wanting to see what shirts, shoes, hats, and more they want from City Gear.

“It just brings more business because everybody is going to stop and we always get, like, a surge in sales whenever anybody doing anything around here so it’s good for us,” he said.

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Saffold wanted people to know about the resources currently available to continue the shift at the shopping center.

“Sometimes people don’t know what’s available and so this event isn’t because of what’s happening in the area. This event is to say, we are here, we’re to stay, and we’re here to serve,” she said.

As KCPD continued to be posted up around the intersection all day Friday.

“Just seeing a police car, you will stop places that you probably wouldn’t usually stop like that’s just what it is,” said Sewell. “It makes people feel safer so overall it just makes them feel safer.”

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