City of Hays Police and Fire

City of Hays Police and Fire Official page of the Hays Police and Fire Departments. This page is not monitored 24/7. Emergency, call 911.

The Hays Police and Fire Departments are departments of the City of Hays, www.haysusa.com. This account is intended for communication between the public and the Departments. Retweets, shares, likes and follows are not endorsements. This account is operated by the City of Hays and operates under its social media use policy, including terms of use and comment policy found on page 147 of the City of Hays Personnel Manual. View the policy at https://www.haysusa.com/DocumentCenter/View/1722/Personnel-Manual

The Hays Police Department is saddened by the passing of former Communications Officer Morris L. “Morrie” Denning on Sep...
09/14/2026

The Hays Police Department is saddened by the passing of former Communications Officer Morris L. “Morrie” Denning on September 10, 2026.

Morrie faithfully served the City of Hays for 38 years. He began his career with the Hays Police Department as a police officer in 1971 and transitioned to the role of communications officer in 1978, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 2009.

Officer Denning will be remembered for his professionalism, dedication to public service, and wonderful sense of humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him.

The City of Hays Police and Fire Departments are proud to take part in the 6th Annual 9/11 Memorial Event & Stair Climb ...
09/11/2026

The City of Hays Police and Fire Departments are proud to take part in the 6th Annual 9/11 Memorial Event & Stair Climb at Lewis Field Stadium.

As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we invite our community to join local first responders to honor the courage, sacrifice, and memory of the heroes and victims of that day.

This event is not a race—it is a collective act of remembrance. Participants can choose to complete a stair climb honoring the 110 flights climbed by FDNY first responders, walk the track, or complete a combination of both.

📅 Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026

📍 Location: Lewis Field Stadium (1st & Elm)

⏰ Schedule: 7:00 AM Registration | 7:46 AM Start time

💲 Cost: FREE (Event T-shirts available first-come, first-served)

Climb for the fallen. Walk for the survivors. Stand for unity.

🔗 Pre-registration details are linked in the first comment below!

⚠️ TRAFFIC & SAFETY ALERT: Frontier Park (Sept. 12–13) ⚠️We want remind residents to prepare for increased vehicle and p...
09/11/2026

⚠️ TRAFFIC & SAFETY ALERT: Frontier Park (Sept. 12–13) ⚠️

We want remind residents to prepare for increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic around Frontier Park this Saturday and Sunday during the 42nd Annual Frontier Open.

Please keep the following safety precautions in mind:

Drive with Caution: Expect heavier traffic and limited parking along park roadways and nearby neighborhood streets. Reduce speed and watch for crossing pedestrians.

Emergency Access: Ensure all parked vehicles do not block emergency access lanes, fire hydrants, or private driveways.

Park Awareness: Flying discs will be active throughout the park footprint. Trail users and pedestrians should stay alert to tournament play.

Thank you for helping us keep our community safe this weekend!

NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Arrest made following information from outside groupHAYS, Kan. (Sept. 9, 2026) — At...
09/09/2026

NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Arrest made following information from outside group

HAYS, Kan. (Sept. 9, 2026) — At approximately 1:11 p.m. on Sept. 9, the Hays Police Department received information from Colorado Ped Patrol, a non-law-enforcement organization that identifies and confronts individuals suspected of attempting to engage in sexual communications with minors online.

The organization reported online communications involving an individual posing as a 13-year-old female and a Hays resident. Information provided to the department indicated that the online conversation began in July 2024 and included sexually explicit communications and images.

Following receipt of the information, officers contacted Austin Darnall, 40, of Hays, in the 2000 block of Marshall Road. After an investigation, Darnall was arrested on suspicion of electronic solicitation and sexual exploitation.

The investigation remains ongoing. At this time, the department is not aware of any child victims.

All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

No further information will be released at this time.

A huge thank you to the University of Central Missouri Football team for making a pit stop in Hays this morning! 🚒🏈 The ...
08/26/2026

A huge thank you to the University of Central Missouri Football team for making a pit stop in Hays this morning! 🚒🏈

The team surprised our crew with an incredible spread of breakfast food on their way through town. Gestures like this mean the world to our firefighters, and we are grateful for the support and the great conversation.

Safe travels on the rest of your trip, and best of luck this season, Mules!

Join us in congratulating Derick Nordell on his promotion to Detective with the Hays Police Department!Detective Nordell...
08/25/2026

Join us in congratulating Derick Nordell on his promotion to Detective with the Hays Police Department!

Detective Nordell officially stepped into his new investigative role on August 17. We are grateful for his continued dedication to keeping our community safe. Please drop a comment below to help us celebrate this milestone and wish him the best in his new role!

08/18/2026

School is back in session this week across Hays! 🎒

Before you hit the road for drop-off or pick-up, take a minute to watch this quick safety update from School Resource Officer Austin Spencer.

⚠️ Important Traffic Reminder: Traffic flow and patterns around both O’Loughlin Elementary and Felten Elementary have changed this year. Please plan ahead, review your route before leaving home, and expect extra delays during the first couple of weeks.

Let’s keep our kids, crossing guards, and buses safe:
• Put down distractions and slow down in all school zones.
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
• Never pass a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended and red lights flashing.

Have a great, safe school year, Hays!

Welcome home, Tigers! 🎓🖤💛 Whether you’re stepping onto campus for the first time or coming back for another semester, th...
08/18/2026

Welcome home, Tigers! 🎓🖤💛 Whether you’re stepping onto campus for the first time or coming back for another semester, the Hays Police Department is excited to have you in town.

Hays is a fantastic place to live, learn, and make unforgettable memories. We want you to enjoy every bit of campus life and everything our community has to offer—just remember that staying safe is what keeps the fun going! Officers were out at the FHSU Back to School Picnic with our drunk vision goggles, giving students a firsthand (and sober!) look at how quickly impairment throws off your coordination, reaction time, and judgment.

Have fun, look out for your friends, and always make smart choices. Never drive under the influence, plan your rides in advance, and help us keep Hays a safe place for everyone. Let’s make this school year the best one yet! 🚔✨

When was the last time you checked your dryer vent pipe? 🧺🔥Across our region, emergency responders have seen a recent up...
08/04/2026

When was the last time you checked your dryer vent pipe? 🧺🔥

Across our region, emergency responders have seen a recent uptick in dryer-related home fires. The photo above shows the exterior of a flexible vent hose—but inside is a critical area that often gets overlooked during routine cleaning.

Nationwide, the numbers from FEMA and the National Park Service are alarming:
📊 15,500 dryer fires occur annually across the U.S.
🚑 Causing an average of 10 to 15 deaths and over 300 injuries each year.
💰 Resulting in tens of millions of dollars in property damage.

The leading factor in these fires is failure to clean and maintain the venting system. When exterior vent tubes get crushed behind the machine, kinked, or clogged with lint, heat cannot escape safely and can spark a fire in seconds.

Quick safety checks for your household:
🔍 Inspect the outside of the tube: Ensure your flexible duct line isn't crushed against the wall, cracked, or kinked.
🧼 Clean the lint filter: Empty it before or after every single load.
💨 Clear the ductwork: Vacuum out the exhaust line and check that your outdoor vent hood flap opens freely while the dryer runs.

A 5-minute check can save your home. Share this reminder with friends and family in the area!

ROAD CLOSURE & TRAFFIC SAFETY ALERT: Downtown Main Street Closed This Saturday 🚗⚠️ Pedestrians and motorists, please pla...
07/23/2026

ROAD CLOSURE & TRAFFIC SAFETY ALERT: Downtown Main Street Closed This Saturday 🚗⚠️ Pedestrians and motorists, please plan ahead!

The City of Hays is issuing a street closure and safety advisory for Saturday, July 25, from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm for the annual Bazaar on the Bricks.

🚧 STREET CLOSURE NOTICE: Main Street from 8th to 12th Streets will be CLOSED to all vehicular traffic to accommodate heavy pedestrian crowds. Portions of 11th and 12th Streets extending one block off Main will also experience restricted vehicular access.

Critical Safety & Traffic Guidelines:
🚫 Respect Road Closures: Do not attempt to drive past barricades or enter closed street zones.
🚗 Watch for Surrounding Congestion: Expect heavy foot traffic and vehicle congestion on adjacent side streets and surrounding downtown blocks. Drive slowly and stay alert for pedestrians walking to and from the event.
🅿️ Keep Emergency Access Clear: Park only in legal, designated public spaces. Do not park in fire lanes, block fire hydrants, or obstruct open driveways and alleyways. First responders must have unimpeded access at all times.
🚦 Use Alternate Routes: Motorists passing through downtown are strongly advised to utilize alternate routes (such as Vine Street or Hall Street) to bypass closures and avoid delays.
🚸 Pedestrian Safety: Shoppers and families are encouraged to use marked crosswalks when crossing open roadways to reach the event area.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our downtown streets safe and accessible!

(See the first comment below for complete event details!)

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