Note from Commissioner Howell - We Can Do Better
Many of us in our community have been following the story of 17 year-old Cedric Lofton. He’s the young man that was removed from life support two days after he became unresponsive while in Sedgwick County’s custody at the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center on Sept. 24, 2021.
My heartfelt condolences go out to the CJ Lofton family. This was a death that should not have happened. I am so sorry this young man lost his life while in our facility.
The District Attorney concluded after a nearly four-month investigation that criminal charges will not be filed against any of the staff or police officers that interacted with Mr. Lofton that night. I am not qualified to second-guess the DA’s decision so my focus will remain on the things I can change. There are plenty of issues we should review to establish better policies and procedures.
Here are some ideas I am considering already:
- Mental Health: When it is known that someone is in a mental health crisis, they need to be connected to mental health professional as a top-level priority. The JIAC facility’s normal processing may connect an incoming juvenile to a mental health professional but if a mental health crisis is apparent, the person should go directly to a mental health facility. Sadly, in this case, the WPD officers chose to deliver Cedric to JIAC instead of a mental health facility.
- Technology: The JIAC facility must have a surveillance video upgrade to include audio evidence.
- Security: When law enforcement hands off someone off to JIAC, if they know the person has been combative, a law enforcement officer should be required to stay at the facility until the processing and proper placement is completed.
- Physical Needs: When someone is being taken into custody, care taken to ensure the basic safety and security needs of the person are being met. If they need a health assessment, that should be completed as soon as possible. If someone is in the process of being cuffed or shackled, it may be necessary to lay them in a prone position for a moment but time in that position should be minimized. This needs to be explicit policy.
- Wrap Restraints: These devices are very effective but their use on anyone struggling with mental anguish is likely to cause excessive anxiety. I testified on HB2200 to ask for a state prohibition on the use of WRAP restraints. They have been in use in Wichita for less than two years. Read about this here: https://amp.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article257785283.html. Listen to it here: https://youtu.be/6uQb5Gt3N0c. My proponent testimony starts at 1:00:35.
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Upcoming Events with Commissioner Howell
District 5 Citizen's Advisory Board
- Friday, Feb. 4 - 4-6 p.m.
- Bread of Life Building located at 1301 E Galena St, Wichita, 67216
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Come and go informal discussion on Sedgwick County issues with Commissioner Howell. Coffee provided.
- Monday, Feb. 25 - 7-9 a.m.
- Calvary Baptist Church Gymnasium. Enter at the glass doors on east side at 1636 E Patriot, Derby 67037.
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Come and go informal discussion on Sedgwick County issues with Commissioner Howell. Coffee & Soda provided.
- Monday, Feb. 7 (a week earlier than usual) - 4-5:30 p.m.
- Range 54, 5725 E Kellogg Dr., Wichita, 67218
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Community Taskforce to Review Youth Corrections System Standards |
The Community Taskforce was established to review and recommend preferred system improvements after the incident and death of Cedric Lofton. The goal of this taskforce is to develop recommendations for improvements and changes to the existing system standards and performance of Department of Children and Families (DCF), law enforcement and youth corrections programs.
The work of the taskforce will include:
- review the circumstances and details of the Cedric Lofton case, relative to existing system standards and performance
- review law enforcement and foster care policies. Review mental and behavioral health training and resources
- review Juvenile Intake and Assessment System (JIAS/State) and Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC/County) standards and use of force.
The Taskforce will have a third-party external moderator/facilitator assisting in the dialogue and efforts of these meetings. Potential timeline of completion is three months, but will be determined and driven by the work and outcomes of this Taskforce.
A final report of recommendations will be presented to the governing bodies of Sedgwick County, City of Wichita and the State of Kansas as an outcome from this Taskforce.
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At the Jan. 12, 2022 meeting, Commissioner Pete Meitzner presented the 2021 Chairman’s Award to Textron Aviation, Spirit AeroSystems and Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech). This was one of his last official duties as Chairman of the Board.
The Chairman’s award – which has been awarded since 1988 - recognizes a person or group who is civic-minded. The recipients have made a notable contribution to the success and sustainability of our community. In addition, they have set an example for others in our community by modeling behavior that encourages, motivates and inspires.
Those accepting the awards were Doug Scott on behalf of Ron Draper (President and CEO of Textron Aviation), Tom Gentile (President and CEO of Spirit AeroSystems) and Dr. Sheree Utash (President of WSU Tech).
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4th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Heroes and Sheroes Scholarship Awards Breakfast |
African Americans Renewing Interest in Spirituals Ensemble (ARISE) hosted their annual scholarship awards breakfast, celebrated MLK Heroes and Sheroes, as well as honored Wichita's community leaders on Monday, Jan. 17. |
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COVID-19 Report for Jan. 31, 2022 |
Showing case information from Jan. 12-26, 2022 with 14-day change:
- The USA case count increased from 62,656,634 to 72,358,770 (+15.48%)
- The Kansas case count increased from 601,859 to 709,838 (+17.94%)
- The Sedgwick County case count increased from 90,497 to 104,609 (+15.59%)
The Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) operates a no-cost testing site located at 4115 E. Harry St. Testing is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. SCHD conducts PCR testing using nasal, oral or saliva samples at the Harry St. location.
Text "SC COVID TEST" to 316-215-8313 to get in line for a COVID-19 test through SCHD. For additional no-cost testing sites in Wichita, go here.
SCHD also has a drive-thru testing site at 777 Waterman St. The site hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Fri. from 2:30 to 7 p.m. and Sat. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointments are necessary. The Waterman St. location is open now through Feb. 9. The drive-thru site offers PCR self-collected saliva sampling only.
Test results from both locations are generally available by the next weekday afternoon.
KDHE operates a mass testing site located at 1847 N. Chautauqua St. The site is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Update |
SCHD provides no-cost Pfizer vaccine for people 5 and older and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine for people 18 and older. No appointments are necessary to get vaccinated at any SCHD vaccine clinic.
- The primary vaccination series consists of:
- One dose of J&J vaccine
- Two doses of Pfizer vaccine
- An additional Pfizer dose is authorized for people who are immunocompromised or have other qualifying conditions
- For people over 18, a booster dose is encouraged at 5 months after the second Pfizer or Moderna dose or at 2 months after a J&J dose. People ages 12-17 who received Pfizer for their primary vaccination series are eligible for a Pfizer booster at 5 months.
- The CDC has stated a preference for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and boosters over J&J.
SCHD operates the following no-cost vaccine clinic options:
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Community Vaccine Clinic at the former Wichita Public Library | 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202 (NEW HOURS: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
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Mobile Clinics are offered by SCHD staff (hours vary)
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Partner Clinics are offered by community partners and assisted by SCHD staff. Appointments preferred but walk-ins are welcome (hours vary)
Proof of prior vaccination(s) expedites registration.
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The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated every year. To learn more about and find resources to help answer your questions about the flu, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/index.html
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Educating yourself and others on the warning signs can play a crucial role in saving someone else's life. You are not alone. Please call the Community Crisis Center (CCC) today at (316) 660-7500. |
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The Kansas Department of Transportation is seeking feedback to learn what Kansans think about how highways and bridges are funded. Your response will help KDOT better understand statewide priorities and explore potential ways to pay for the state’s roads and bridges in the future. Click here to take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MidwestRUC
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American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Opportunities |
As recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Sedgwick County, we are continuing to communicate opportunities from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that may be of help to you. ARPA became law on March 11, 2021 to provide $1.9 trillion in economic stimulus with the intent to speed up the United States' recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below are ARPA Funding Opportunities that have recently been made available:
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316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203
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Connect with Sedgwick County |
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