http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-898870.mp3
Kansas City, Mo. – Fears of promoting a monopoly and fears of offending home builders slowed action in a Kansas City Council committee today. The measure at hand deals with reducing home burglaries.
The ordinance would change building codes to require certain types of door-lock -assemblies. An Overland Park police officer who deals in crime prevention, Mike Betten told Kansas City Council Members a similar ordinance works in his city--" we would consider the ordinance very successful, as testimony that other jurisdictions in Johnson County have also adopted it."
Council sponsor Cathy Jolly said Kansas City new home buyers should be as safe as those in the Kansas suburbs.
The meeting took on a strange aura with a demonstration by lock manufacturer Ron Olberding. Over objections of Councilman John Sharp, he vigorously and loudly kicked at a door assembly on a mockup frame. The locks held.
Sharp wanted time for home builders to weigh in, concerned the ordinance would favor one company that makes a patented lock assembly. Colleague Deb Hermann concurred, asking more time to consider. The measure was held over for action two weeks.