Why This Matters
Peabody, Kansas, and Marion County have faced repeated public scrutiny in recent years due to misconduct by individuals entrusted with authority. Community trust in local government and law enforcement has already been significantly strained.
Leadership that claims transparency must also demonstrate ethical conduct, restraint, and respect for lawful process. When an elected official personally conducts surveillance, bypasses established governance procedures, or encourages or knowingly allows others to engage in harassment, it undermines due process, personal safety, and public confidence.
This petition is not about rumors or personal disputes. It concerns documented conduct and publicly disclosed actions and whether those actions align with the standards expected of those who represent our community.
Peabody deserves leadership that restores trust—not leadership that deepens division or fear.

Petition Statement
We, the undersigned residents and concerned members of the Peabody, Kansas community, respectfully request that Kevin Burke step down from all current and future positions of public authority, including his roles as City Council member and Mayor-Elect.

This request is based on recently disclosed actions and admissions made during a Peabody City Council meeting, which raise serious concerns regarding ethical judgment, misuse of authority, harassment, and violation of public trust.

Specifically, Mr. Burke has acknowledged or has been credibly reported to have:

• Personally conducting surveillance of the Peabody Chief of Police’s residence and whereabouts while operating a city-owned vehicle, bypassing proper oversight and transparent governance processes.
• Knowing about, and failing to stop, surveillance or monitoring of the Chief of Police and a subordinate officer conducted without official authorization or oversight.
• Contacting the private residence of the Chief of Police and sharing personal allegations unrelated to official job responsibilities with the Chief’s children.
• Encouraging or knowingly allowing a private citizen to participate in ongoing surveillance and harassment of a Peabody police officer, including traveling significant distances to photograph and monitor the officer’s home.
• Bypassing established city governance procedures by escalating unverified personal allegations directly to the Kansas Attorney General rather than addressing them through the Mayor, City Council, or appropriate internal processes.

These actions—whether intended or not—demonstrate a disregard for due process, personal boundaries, and the ethical standards expected of public officials, particularly in a community already affected by well-documented governance and law enforcement controversies within Marion County.

Public office requires restraint, accountability, and respect for lawful procedure. Personal investigations, unauthorized surveillance, and the encouragement or tolerance of third-party harassment of city employees undermine transparency rather than promote it.

Given the seriousness of these concerns and the importance of restoring confidence in Peabody’s leadership, we believe it is in the best interest of our community that Kevin Burke resign immediately from his current position and decline the assumption of the office of Mayor.

Peabody deserves leadership that upholds integrity, respects the rule of law, and models ethical conduct—especially during a time when public trust must be rebuilt.