Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation has launched an 'Athletic Staff and Volunteer Abuse Prevention Matrix' to combat verbal and physical abuse towards sports officials, staff, and volunteers. This new policy introduces a tiered system of penalties that can range from suspensions for a single game to lifetime bans, depending on the severity of the offense. Notably, a call to law enforcement will automatically result in a two-game suspension. The policy also imposes stricter consequences for repeat offenders and incidents involving minors serving in staff or volunteer roles. Joe Snook, the Parks and Recreation Administrator, emphasized the importance of maintaining a respectful environment in sports, stating, “If you’re gonna engage in this type of behavior, here’s what you can expect.” The policy was developed with input from local sports organizations, including the Lee’s Summit Football Association and the Lee’s Summit Girls Softball Association, reinforcing a collective commitment to appropriate behavior in sports.