KC United for Public Safety
What is KC United for Public Safety?
Over the past two years, community organizations, residents, local businesses, elected officials, law enforcement, and additional stakeholders have been working more closely together to overcome historically segmented efforts to reduce violent crime. In 2024, a series of symposiums bridged stakeholders’ goals and vision for a safer Kansas City. KC United for Public Safety is a community-based framework that uses Omaha, Nebraska as a model, where they have seen a 70% reduction in violent crime over the past 17 years. The framework aligns various plans into one collaborative plan to address the root causes of violence today and implement evidence-based solutions for the future.
Why We’re Here Today
Over the past 20 years, gun violence in Kansas City has increased significantly, with violent crimes on the rise and the highest number of homicides recorded in 2023. While the issue is serious, many in our region still do not fully grasp the severity of the situation. Kansas City has a very small number of community-based violence interruption organizations, and there remains a pressing need for more focused and aligned efforts and resources in this work.
Gun violence is an issue many people avoid because it provokes strong emotion, involves political challenges and breeds hopelessness. Additionally, challenges in sustaining effective organizations and their programs, funding shortfalls and limited collaboration have long plagued the violence reduction sector in Kansas City.
That’s all about to change; now, we are working together. KC United for Public Safety aligns all those working for positive change in our region to collaborate, expand funding, and unite under one common, comprehensive plan to address violent crime.
United
In March 2024, leaders from community organizations, local businesses, law enforcement, elected officials, city residents and more came together. At this symposium, participants shared their lived experiences with violence and their efforts to address it. By connecting with each other, KC United for Public Safety was created and thus began the development of a comprehensive, three-phased plan for violence intervention and prevention.
Two additional symposiums were held in March and April of 2024. One of the primary goals was to introduce the aligned strategies and gain additional input from the hundreds in attendance. As a result, the KC 360 10- Point Plan, KC Blueprint and Partners for Peace/PSP/DOJ strategy and many other plans and efforts were aligned.
This collaborative effort is made possible because of the commitment of the many partnering organizations and businesses, and the support of local Kansas City sponsors.
KC United for Public Safety Sponsors
Our Plan
In creating one collective vision for Kansas City’s approach to violence intervention, prevention and reduction, KC United for Public Safety incorporated 10 Core Pillars and focus areas from the Empowerment Network and KC 360 framework to address active violence and the root causes of violence. These actionable steps were informed by national best practices as reported by the Department of Justice and successful efforts from cities around the country.
- Collaboration
- Community-Based Policing
- Prevention: Root Causes
- Prevention: Housing and Neighborhood Engagement
- Intervention: Direct
- Intervention: Community
- Enforcement: Focused Deterrence (Police and Community)
- Reentry and Recovery
- Support Services: Trauma-Informed Health
- Sustainability
Get Involved
The KC United for Public Safety plan is a forward-thinking, comprehensive effort to reduce violence in our community. To see its effects, we need everyone throughout the KC metro area to get involved. Take the first step today and download our 10 Things You Can Do flyer.
Support from local businesses is a crucial component of this action plan. If you want to learn more about how your business can be a part of the change alongside Kansas City’s chambers of commerce, see our business engagement plan and get involved today.
Media Contact
Andrew Meiller, Crux KC
