Kansas City Takes a Closer Look at Crime Reduction Strategies
Kansas City, Mo. — The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a screening of the Kansas City PBS documentary, ‘A Tale of Three Cities: The Search for a KC Crime Fix’, diving into various approaches towards lowering crime rates. Both Kansas City, Kansas, and Omaha, Nebraska, shared their experiences as Kansas City, Missouri, grapples with its own violent crime statistics.
As of October 15, 2023, the Kansas City Police Department reported 147 homicides, a grim reminder of last year’s troubling record. However, there seems to be a flicker of hope as this year’s figure so far stands at 121 homicides. While some may cheer for this reduction, KCPD Chief Stacey Graves urged caution during a panel discussion following the documentary’s showing.
Rising Concerns About Non-Fatal Shootings
“We definitely cannot ignore the fact that our non-fatal shootings are up,” Chief Graves noted. This year, Kansas City has seen 493 living victims from shootings so far, a stark increase from the 406 reported in the same timeframe last year. That uptick raises questions about the root causes of violence in the city.
After the panel, our team had a chance to chat with Chief Graves, who reflected on what her department can learn from KCK’s success in lowering their non-fatal shooting numbers. “They’ve focused on deterrence strategies, particularly targeting individuals known for gun violence. It’s a practical approach that we’ve employed before but are aiming to refine with new initiatives like SAVE KC and KC 360.
A New Coalition for Safer Streets
Just five days before the screening, Chief Graves joined city officials in announcing a new coalition called KC United for Public Safety. This group has set ambitious goals, including the ambitious target of dropping the yearly homicide count below 100 in Kansas City, Missouri. Among those in the coalition is KC Common Good, which has initiated the impressive KC 360 program aimed at reducing gun violence.
Klassie Alcine, the CEO of KC Common Good, participated as one of the panelists following the documentary presentation. We asked her about the potential funding for these ambitious initiatives, and she responded enthusiastically. “We are talking about billions. It’s absolutely possible,” she stated emphatically, “Look at other cities that have come together to invest in their communities.”
Investing in Future Generations
Alcine went on to highlight the significant need for investment in areas that have faced long-term disinvestment, particularly neighborhoods east of Troost Avenue, historically affected by systemic issues like redlining. She mentioned the Empowerment Network in Omaha, which has played a crucial role in reducing their violent crime rates. Notably, over the past two decades, Omaha has invested approximately $1 billion into those communities, leading to a noticeable economic impact.
The conversations at the screening illuminated the challenges Kansas City faces but also sparked a sense of community action and collaboration. People from varied backgrounds, including law enforcement, non-profits, and local advocacy groups, are rallying together, determined to tackle the broader issues at play in their neighborhoods.
As Kansas City continues to refine its strategies to combat violence, there is a renewed hope that by focusing on community togetherness, investment, and targeted deterrence, the city can emerge stronger. Bringing police and community members together could be the key to creating a more peaceful environment for everyone in Kansas City.
In summary, while the statistics present a mixed bag of progress and challenges, the emphasis on collaboration and focused strategies suggests that there may be a path forward. The city’s residents can look forward to what this newly formed coalition could achieve as they work hand-in-hand towards a safer Kansas City.
