The Police Chief of Kansas City, Missouri, Jim Corwin, refuses to enforce the the city's panhandling law. The law passed in April, 2007, established new regulations for street artists and panhandlers. According to The Kansas City Star, the Police Department has decided, after meeting with its legal staff, that the ordinance violates the Constitution and would not pass legal muster. Department spokesman, Capt. Rich Lockhart states, "The Chief is adamant that he isn't going to enforce what he believes is an unconstitutional ordinance." Lockhart said the department feared a court challenge if it arrested someone for breaking the new law.

Galen Beaufort, the City Attorney, who advises the city council on such matters, obviously believes that it would pass a court challenge and he could not recall another example of the Police Department deciding, on its own, not to enforce a law.

What the hell is going on here? A department of the executive branch, acting on behalf of the judiciary branch, decides what laws are or are not constitutional! What happened to the separation of powers?

I strongly believe that Chief Corwin has violated his oath of office in which he swore to defend the law. He has overstepped his authority and has assumed a role that is not his. I wonder what other laws he has personally decided to NOT enforce! He is clearly unfit for office. I am calling for his immediate resignation.

If your agree call the Kansas City Police Department and express your views. The phone number is 816.234.5000. Chief Corwin's direct number is 816.234.5010.

I would be interested how many other Chiefs of Police in other cities have decided not to enforce certain laws that they disagree with. I challenge every reader to call their local police department and ask, "Do you have any department policies that directly instruct your officer not to enforce certain laws?" I would like the comment section of this article to be used as a central reporting site. Is the Kansas City Police Department unique or are Police Chiefs all over the country deciding what laws to enforce and what laws not to enforce?