TOPEKA, Kan. –The Topeka Fire Department responded to a possible structure fire located at 1021 NE Jefferson St. Topeka, Kansas shortly before 08:00 AM on Sunday March 04, 2018.  Upon arrival, fire crews found heavy fire coming the first floor of the dwelling.  One (1) occupant of the structure was able to be rescued from the interior by a roommate, prior to Fire Department arrival.  This occupant sustained life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The other occupant was also transported for evaluation of smoke inhalation injuries.

A primary search for other occupants was conducted and the dwelling found to be empty.  The fire was extinguished keeping it contained to the structure of fire origin, but not before the dwelling sustained substantial damage.

A Topeka Fire Department Investigation’s Unit responded to this incident to assist in determining the origin and cause for the fire.  The following is a brief summary;

• Preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Undetermined; more likely than not accidental associated with a failure/malfunction of a wood burning stove.
• Estimated dollar loss – $6,600 (Six Thousand and Six Hundred Dollars); $5,600 to the structure and $1,000 to contents.
• The initial response to this fire involved Three (3) Engine Companies, Two (2) Truck Companies, Two (2) Battalion Chiefs and an Investigator.
• Other agencies assisting with this incident include American Medical Response, Kansas Gas Service, Westar Energy and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
• Smoke alarms were present not within the structure.

TOPEKA, Kan. –The Topeka Fire Department Responded to a structure fire located at 1112 SW Woodward Ave., Topeka Kansas at 11:45 AM on Sunday April 1, 2017.  Upon arrival, fire crews found the two story wood framed residential structure with smoke showing from the second story. Firefighters began an offensive fire attack, keeping it confined to the structure of fire origin. Five occupants were out of the structure when firefighters arrived. A primary search of the structure revealed there were no other occupants.

A Topeka Fire Department Investigation’s Unit responded to this incident to determine the origin and cause for the fire.  The following is a brief summary;

• Preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be accidental, associated with a juvenile playing with a lighter.
• Estimated dollar loss – $12,000.00 (Twelve Thousand Dollars); $10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Dollars) structural loss and $2,000.00 (Two Thousand Dollars) contents loss.
• The initial response to this fire involved Three (3) Engine Companies, One (1) Truck Company, One (1) Aerial Ladder Company, One (1) Battalion Chief, One (1) Shift Commander and an Investigator.
• Assisting agencies at this incident included the Topeka Police Department, Kansas Gas Service, Westar Energy and the Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross.
• No working smoke detectors were located within the structure.

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2017

2015 SW Fillmore Ave. Structure Fire Incident

TOPEKA, Kan. –The Topeka Fire Department Responded to a structure fire located at 2015 SW Fillmore Ave., Topeka Kansas just before 01:00 AM on Sunday November 12, 2017. Upon arrival, fire crews found the single story wood framed residential structure with heavy smoke and flames showing from the rear. Firefighters began an offensive fire attack and protected the surrounding structures. Shortly thereafter firefighters switched to a defensive fire attack. This was due in part to rapid fire progression and weakening structural integrity. Prior to moving to a defensive fire attack, firefighters performed a search of the structure and found no occupants.

A Topeka Fire Department Investigation’s Unit responded to this incident to determine the origin and cause for the fire. The following is a brief summary;

• Preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be Undetermined, pending further investigation.
• Estimated dollar loss – $25,000 (Twenty Five Thousand Dollars); All loss is associated with structure only.
• The initial response to this fire involved Three (3) Engine Companies, Two (2) Truck Companies, One (1) Battalion Chief, One (1) Shift Commander and an Investigator.
• Assisting agencies at this incident included the Topeka Police Department, Kansas Gas Service, and Westar Energy.

Any individuals with information about the circumstances of this fire are being asked to please contact Crime Stoppers at (785)234-0007 or Toll Free at 1-800-222 TIPS (8477).

Bill Cochran will be continuing as Topeka’s permanent Police Chief effective immediately. He was named as the interim Police Chief on November 4th.

“After meeting with candidates, Bill rose up as the best candidate to be the Police Chief for the City of Topeka,” said City Manager Brent Trout. “Bill Cochran has done a wonderful job at the police department since starting as the interim Police Chief in November. I’m excited to see him continue the great work he has started and implement other innovative initiatives.”

Bill Cochran has worked with the Topeka Police Department for thirty one years, starting his service on July 13, 1987. Cochran has worked in several capacities at the Topeka Police Department including: homicide, traffic, patrol, field operations, and criminal investigations. Most recently Cochran has been serving as the Interim Police Chief.

“I am humbled and honored to be given this opportunity to serve the citizens of Topeka as the Chief of Police. I am also grateful that the Governing Body and City Manager have the faith in me to serve them in this capacity. The City of Topeka is my community and a community that I care dearly for,” said Cochran. “Serving as the Interim Police Chief over the past few months has given me the opportunity to initiate some changes within the Topeka Police Department. As the permanent chief I look forward to the opportunity to continue working on those changes.”

Cochran has also served in the Army National Guard from February 1985 until he retired as a First Lieutenant in July of 2005. He was deployed for thirteen months in Iraq from January 2004 to February of 2005. Cochran received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Washburn University in 1987 and his Masters of Business Administration from Friends University in 2010. Cochran is also a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety Police Staff and Command School. Cochran’s salary as Police Chief will be $135,500.

Below is the description of the Topeka project

Topeka, KS — Open Data and Project Portal

When the City exercises an open and transparent government, it increases accountability and builds trust with people by sharing information and engaging in ongoing conversations with employees and the public. To increase transparency and accountability we have created data portals for budget, checkbook and projects. This information is machine readable and easy to understand and filter. The checkbook shows all expenditures and the project portal shows all active projects. We are continuously shifting to proactive disclosure of frequently requested public information of any kind, with the goal to reduce staff time and costs by 10 to 20 percent. As citizens utilize open data, it begins to provide public value. Open government is about changing the way the City operates and its internal culture. While open government work often involves new technologies and sharing collected data with the public, at its core, open government is about building and fostering relationships. One of the dashboards is designed to offer insight into the associated costs and timelines for the city’s active Capital Improvement Projects. Currently we are providing detail project information on approx. 160 projects with an estimated budget of $220MM. Higher visibility results in higher accountability.

City of Topeka Statement on Officer Involved Shooting

The members of the governing body extend their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dominique White – it is incredibly difficult to lose a family member and friend. The loss of a member of our community affects us all.

The City’s goals in connection with Mr. White’s death are simple and sincere: first, to make certain the death is thoroughly and fairly investigated; second, to determine whether the officers’ actions were consistent with the law and with city policies and procedures; and third, to consider whether City policies and procedures are appropriate.

Naturally, there has been a lot of media attention surrounding this case and the governing body understands the community’s desire to be provided with the details involving the events that occurred on September 28th. At this time, however, we believe that it is vital to the integrity of the criminal justice system to consistently follow the procedures currently in place.

By following the established procedure not to publicly release footage of the body worn camera, we might be accused of “protecting” the officers. However, we must look at this from a broader perspective. Release of such evidence outside of a trial setting – regardless of who is involved – has a tendency to encourage “trial by media,” cause prejudice and potentially taint a jury pool, which could affect the outcome in a criminal case.

To insure fairness and integrity, please note the following:
(1) The body worn camera footage will be shown to the administrator of Dominique White’s estate appointed by the court at the request of the family. (See KSA 45-254, reprinted at Attachment A). Family members are represented by various attorneys who have guided them through this process.
(2) If an officer or officers are charged or indicted, their names will become public. If no charges are brought, the names may be released at the conclusion of an internal investigation. In accordance with standard operating procedure, the officers involved were immediately placed on administrative leave and, as such, have had no law enforcement contact with the public since that time.
(3) The body worn camera footage may be released once a determination is made that the camera footage is in the public interest and will not interfere with any prospective law enforcement action, criminal investigation or prosecution. (See KSA 45-221(a)(10), reprinted at Attachment A). Members of the governing body have not viewed any criminal investigation records, including video from the body worn camera, as the governing body plays no role in criminal investigations.

The governing body has heard the requests for further community discussion and wholeheartedly agrees that public dialogue is essential. We have reached out to the Department of Justice for assistance in facilitating those efforts. We ask for your support and patience as the process unfolds.

Attachment A
Relevant Excerpts From the Kansas Open Records Act

I. Criminal investigation records. Criminal investigation records are exempt from open record requirements absent a court directing such records to be released. K.S.A. 45-221(a)(10) provides:
“(a) Except to the extent disclosure is otherwise required by law, a public agency shall not be required to disclose:
(10) Criminal investigation records, except as provided herein. The district court, in an action brought pursuant to K.S.A. 45-222, and amendments thereto, may order disclosure of such records, subject to such conditions as the court may impose, if the court finds that disclosure:
(A) Is in the public interest;
(B) would not interfere with any prospective law enforcement action, criminal investigation or prosecution;
(C) would not reveal the identity of any confidential source or undercover agent;
(D) would not reveal confidential investigative techniques or procedures not known to the general public;
(E) would not endanger the life or physical safety of any person; and
(F) would not reveal the name, address, phone number or any other information which specifically and individually identifies the victim of any sexual offense in article 35 of chapter 21 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, prior to their repeal, or article 55 of chapter 21 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto.” (emphasis added)
II. Body worn cameras. K.S.A. 45-254 expressly provides that video taken by a law enforcement body worn camera is a “criminal investigation record.” This particular law was effective July 1, 2016, and will expire on July 1, 2021, unless reviewed and reenacted prior to that date. This will provide state legislators with five years of information on the practical effects of this law before it expires or is reenacted. This same law, K.S.A. 45-254, also allows specific individuals to view body worn camera videos:

A law enforcement agency shall allow the following persons to view a video recording:
1. The person who is the subject of the recording.[NA]
2. A parent/guardian of a person under 18 who is the subject of the recording. [NA – Dominique White was older than 18]
3. An attorney for (1) or (2). [Neither (1) or (2) apply so (3) does not apply either]
4. “An heir at law, an executor or an administrator of a decedent, when the decedent is a subject of the recording.”

The family of Dominique White has had an administrator appointed at this time.

Homelessness in Kansas and across the country is on the rise. In the past year, the Topeka Rescue Mission has seen record numbers of guests in the shelter with the biggest increase being in persons with mental health challenges. Kansas schools have also seen large increases in homeless children and youth.

Now, more than ever, it is important for us to obtain the appropriate level of funding so that we can provide needed services to those experiencing homelessness and those at risk for homelessness. To receive funding for programs, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires communities to complete a point-in-time count of the homeless every year.

This year’s Point-In-Time Count will be held on Wednesday, January 24 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“This is one of the important ways for Topeka to determine whether we are meeting the needs of persons experiencing homelessness,” said Corrie Wright, Division Director of Housing Services for the City of Topeka. The information gathered will help Topeka to:

• Understand the face of homelessness within the community
• Make sure services are meeting the needs of homeless persons
• Raise public awareness about the issues surrounding homelessness
• Measure community progress towards preventing and ending homelessness

Help us make sure that everyone is counted!

Persons who are experiencing homelessness or know someone who is, please call 785-368-0168 between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on January 29th, or drop by the Rescue Mission or Let’s Help and complete a survey that day. Interviewers will also be available at the City Offices – Holliday Building. 620 SE Madison, Holliday Conference Room from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on January 29th.

For more information, please contact: Nesha Rogers, Housing Director, Community Action, Inc., 785-235-9296

On June 28, 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court upheld the validity of Topeka’s “T-21” Ordinance No. 20099 which prohibits the sale of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, tobacco products, and liquid nicotine to anyone under the age of 21. The ordinance also prohibits buying any of those products for a person under the age of 21. View the ordinance online.

The Kansas Supreme Court issued its mandate on 7/26/2019, which means that the ordinance is now enforceable.
For retailers, the Kansas Department of Revenue has designed a sign that complies with state law and can be used in cities that have passed T-21 ordinances.

Download the sign.