Kansas City officials want consistent prosecution, especially for young people

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KCTV) — In order to reduce crime overall, it is necessary to toughen up the consequences, especially for juveniles, says Kansas City, Missouri Police Chief Stacey Graves.

Statistics from Tuesday's Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) meeting show that 110 murders have been reported across the city this year, ten of them by juvenile suspects.

It is the first meeting of the police board since the shooting of Brookside cook Shaun Brady in late August. Two teens are now charged in Brady's death. BOPC President Dawn Cramer began by acknowledging his loss and how they will continue their work to improve public safety.

The city saw a 10% increase in property crimes between January 1 and July 31 compared to the previous year. Burglaries increased 20% during the same period compared to the previous year.

Graves said patrols and visibility in hot spots continue to be an important initiative to reduce crime, KCTV5 reported from the area of ​​31st Street and Prospect Avenue.

“The citizens of Kansas City need to hear our city leaders, including myself, stress the consequences for those who cause harm,” Graves said. She also spoke of the frustration of her officers, who say they keep arresting the same people who have committed crimes repeatedly.

READ MORE: ‘Small group of people committing large amounts of crime’: Rise in property crime leads to violent crime

“We're working with three other prosecutors: the city attorney, the U.S. attorney and others – all picking up the phone to try to work together,” said Quinton Lucas, mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. “We're all trying to row in the same direction, but in very choppy waters.”

“I think what we hear more than anything from the public is urgency, and you understand that,” Lucas told Graves. “A violation, whether it's property crime, assault or anything else, is important to them, urgent and has an impact.”

Graves urged residents who are facing increasing property crimes in their neighborhoods to go to the nearest police station and ask local police officers for help.

KCPD Deputy Chief Doug Niemeier said staffing concerns are no excuse, but acknowledged he would welcome more detectives in his department. He has dedicated 10% of his office staff solely to investigating property crimes and said it's easy for people to say they want a change, but they need people to be part of that change by joining the KCPD.

READ MORE: KC takes holistic approach to reducing violent crime, Lucas proposes ordinance to use KCPD headquarters to meet detention needs

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