A Kansas City law enforcement and community coalition has been formed to attack hate crimes after a recent study found a need for it.
The number of hate crimes in Kansas City has been relatively consistent year after year. But, attempts to eradicate it haven’t worked.
Kansas City’s top FBI agent, Michael Kaste, looked at a bureau study released this week for the nation and region.
The FBI Special Agent In-Charge said 104 hate crimes were reported last year in Missouri.
"Of that number, 67 of those incidents occurred right here in the Kansas City, Missouri metro region,” he said.
Forty-four were based on race, six on religion and 14 on sexual orientation. Three crimes, said Kaste, were motivated by the victim’s ethnicity.
Kaste, the U.S Attorney’s office and Kansas City police formed the anti-hate task force.
It will put on a Justice Department Conference at UMKC in January.
Education and awareness of prejudice will be linked to law enforcement.