Proposed Odessa Justice Center
The City of Odessa is the largest and fastest growing city in Lafayette County, located approximately 35 miles east of the heart of downtown Kansas City. With its close proximity to the metro as well as an interstate highway, the calls for service can be quite diverse. In 2021, the Odessa Police Department received 9,377 calls for service compared to 7,558 calls for service in 2020. In addition to 2,472 traffic stops, officers responded to calls ranging from ordinance violations, to business checks, to domestic disturbances, and assaults.
Almost a decade ago, in 2014, the Odessa Police Department was relocated from its former building after mold was discovered in that facility and demolished shortly thereafter. It was decided that the department would move to a "temporary" location - a small building constructed in 1947 that had previously been used as a school shop classroom located next to the 1912 School Building. Click here to learn more about the current building issues and view photos of the current police station. It was agreed by Odessa city leadership that the current police headquarters lacks sufficient space to perform efficient police operations. A needs assessment was performed, resulting in a proposed Justice Center that would not only house the police department, but also municipal court, an emergency operations center, and a public storm/tornado shelter. A dedicated half-cent public safety sales tax will be presented as a question to the voters for approval on August 6, 2024, to fund the new Odessa Justice Center.
Community engagement is important as this process moves forward, and we encourage you to attend one of our public events to discuss the tax and how it will benefit public safety in Odessa. If you are unable to make any of the events, you may call the Odessa Police Department at 816-633-7575 to schedule a visit. Or email us at odessapd@cityofodessamo.com with any questions you may have. We will be providing information and updates in the months to come here on our website as well as on the Odessa Police Department's Facebook page @odessamopolice.
