When jaywalking became a crime

By Mackenzie Martin

Published January 29, 2026 at 4:00 AM CST

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Kansas City was not only the birthplace of the term “jaywalking,” it also became the first city in the U.S. to arrest people for such a crime. Fueled by auto industry propaganda, this decision set off a nationwide trend to redesign our roads for the car — at the expense of everyone else. Mackenzie Martin reports in the first of our two-part series.

This episode of A People's History of Kansas City was reported, produced, and mixed by Mackenzie Martin. Editing by Suzanne Hogan and Gabe Rosenberg.

A People's History of Kansas City

Mackenzie Martin

As senior podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I interview everyday people and dig through old newspaper articles to unearth stories of the visionaries and renegades who created this region. I focus on bringing the past to life, so we can all better understand the city we live in today. Email me at mackenzie@kcur.org.

See stories by Mackenzie Martin

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