PLATTE CITY, Missouri – The Platte County Sheriff’s Office has asked the county to provide a transport truck specifically designed to care for recently released inmates.
“By car, it’s a very short walk from downtown Platte City to the bus stop. But by foot, it’s much, much farther, especially when it’s hot in the summer or when it’s cold in the winter during a snowstorm,” said Platte County Commissioner Joe Vanover.
Since the nearest bus stop is several miles from the county jail, it is a challenge for many who want to go home. The plan for the transportation bus is to help these released inmates get anywhere in Platte County, whether it be to the nearest bus stop or home.
“Sometimes people get stuck in Platte City and we want to solve that problem so they can get to their destination,” Vanover said.
Commissioner Vanover said the request for transportation came after many of the released inmates walked to the nearest bus stop near KCI Airport to get home.
“Many inmates have simply burned too many bridges with family and friends when they are released from prison,” Vanover said. “Sometimes they can’t find anyone to pick them up because Platte City is not connected to the Kansas City Metro bus lines.”
The county has been trying to get KCATA to find a solution to extend the bus line further north, but Vanover said more work is needed to do that.
The county has begun soliciting bids for transportation and once those are completed, they will move forward with purchasing a delivery truck.
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