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Religious Leaders Are Crafting Plans To Get To The Heart Of Kansas City's Violent Crime Problem

Pastor Emmanuel Cleaver III leads community faith leaders and Kansas City police officers in prayer before the unveiling of the partnership.
Jodi Fortino
/
KCUR
Rev. Emanuel Cleaver III, behind the microphones, and Pastor Darron Edwards, behind him in purple, unveiled the "Getting to the Heart of the Matter" effort on Aug. 11.

Churches and faith leaders are working to assess crime in each police division, and tailor solutions to mobilize the community, open dialogue and find solutions.

"Getting to the Heart of the Matter" is a new initiative seeking to do just that for violent crime in Kansas City — address its root causes. It involves faith leaders throughout Kansas City, who are working with police to address crime during an especially violent year.

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