Community shares concern of rising crime problem in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As crime continues to be a top concern in Kansas City, the Board of Police Commissioners met for more than three hours on Tuesday.

While there was no solution, there were hard discussions surrounding a rise in property crime and the 911 system.

“Recently we have been the victim of the continuing crime wave,” one man voiced at the BOPC meeting.

“Crime in the Crossroads is an emergency and needs to be addressed at the highest level,” another said.

An unscheduled referendum on the problem that continues to plague Kansas City, crime.

Frustrated taxpayer after frustrated taxpayer making their points, this as non-fatal shooting numbers this year were up, property crimes are up, threatening the feeling of safety and security.

“Even though we have public comments that are sometime negative, that’s feedback that I get to hear where our needs still aren’t being met,” KCPD Chief Stacey Graves said.

As one officer addressed the plans for the world cup coming together, a small business owner said they weren’t sure they’d even be around then.

As the mayor and the chief try to not only bring awareness around the crime situation but also zeroing in on the people at the center of the crime which too often they’re finding are kids.

“I promise you we will get better I’m not leaving this job without it and it’s been so far where we haven’t. What you heard today were a few positive steps I know it’s not convincing to everyone but we need to get around our staffing concerns I’m heartened with what I heard today,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said.

There were no big solutions or policy changes that will take effect tomorrow to address what we are seeing but important conversations were had.

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