violence

Kansas City's homicide rate decreased in 2024, but the numbers still leave cause for concern. Local experts want residents to better understand the conditions that drive violent crime — and what will fix them.

Missouri's homicide victimization rate for its Black residents was 54.9 deaths per 100,000 people in 2023, more than twice the national rate. The Violence Policy Center has issued the report for 20 years and Missouri has been either first or second every time.

Andre Harris, founder of the nonprofit Dads Against Crime, says that Kansas City's violent crime problem can't be fixed if people can't feel comfortable talking to law enforcement and discussing mental health.

Youth violence has fallen in Wyandotte County, in part due to the ThrYve program. Barry Anderson took part when he was a student at Wyandotte High School, and credits the program with teaching him basic life skills necessary to attend the University of Kansas.

Kansas City has recorded 12 homicides linked to domestic violence so far this year — the same number reported in all of 2024. Domestic violence service agencies fear the problem could get worse if social services lose federal funding.

The homicide rate dipped to the lowest number in the last six years, said Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves. But the number of people who were shot and survived increased by nearly 12%, leaving hundreds of people with gunshot wounds.

The family of Maria Pike and her baby Destinii Hope rallied outside of Independence Police headquarters Sunday and demanded transparency from investigators. Independence Police released highly-edited footage of the incident last week.

Violence is nothing new to Kansas City youth. The No More Bullying! program at Wayside Waifs, a no-kill shelter, wants to stop the cycle using education and prevention.

Young people in Kansas City are feeling the effects of violent crime. Youth Ambassadors, a Kansas City nonprofit, is helping kids work through the trauma, build resilience and have a voice in their community.

Ricky Kidd, an exoneree who works as a motivational speaker and mindset coach, will hold a workshop, "Raising Men," aimed at helping young men in Kansas City develop their ability to make responsible decisions.

A pair of exhibits at the Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence are inspired by the life and death of Emmett Till, which helped launch the civil rights movement. The work of area textile artists helps connect the 1955 killing to contemporary violence against Black people.

The Kansas City Council approved a $2.3 billion budget to cover the fiscal year 2024-2025. Even with revenues growing, Kansas City plans to spend more money than it's taking in, on things like police and public transportation.