kcpd

While much of life was focused on getting through the pandemic, Jackson County was moving forward with plans for the most expensive building project in its history. But will Kansas City join in?

The price of the three precious metals in the anti-pollution devices in almost all vehicles has skyrocketed. And as the price has climbed, so have thefts.

The number of fatal crashes in Kansas City involving marijuana has doubled in the last two years. Kansas City police are worried that a de-emphasis on marijuana possession enforcement could keep the number high.

The measure still needs to be approved by the full city council and would face an uphill battle getting the needed buy-in from state lawmakers.

Lucas’ comments set up a showdown with organizers, who vow to remain camped at City Hall until Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith is fired and the police department’s budget is cut by 50%.

Lucas says planning for the violence prevention framework has been in the works for nearly a year, but some neighborhood groups say the announcement took them by surprise.

Activists calling for Lucas to defund the Kansas City Police Department say calling the changes 'radical' feels like ‘a slap in the face.’

It is not just homicides that are vexing Kansas City police. Non-fatal shootings are up 26% year-to-year, according to KCPD data. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker says casework is filed in only 19% of those attacks. She calls that "a pathetically small number."

The killing of 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot while asleep in his bed, is among the many violent crimes during a summer of record-breaking homicides and heartbreak.

Organizers of Sunday’s Brookside Black Lives Matter Brigade are continuing calls for Kansas City Chief Rick Smith to step down and the ending of Operation Legend.

Protesters are also planning a demonstration Sunday afternoon in Brookside.

The White House announced the additional resources from FBI, DEA and other federal agencies on Wednesday. Mayor Quinton Lucas says he was surprised by the announcement.