Joe Jarosz
Northeast News
Nov. 18, 2015

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KANSAS CITY, Missouri — After a drop in homicides in 2014, Kansas City’s murder rate has risen in 2015 to numbers more on par with years prior to 2014.

In response to the upward trend, Kansas City Mayor Sly James has announced a new task force — Citizens Task Force on Violence — to try to confront violence in Kansas City. At the press conference for the announcement, James introduced members of the task force, which is being led by Fourth District Councilwoman Jolie Justus and Andres Dominguez of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City. The mayor said the purpose of the task force is to seek creative solutions to issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, active shooter situations, violence-driven street crime, and other violent situations.

So far in 2015, Kansas City has recorded 90 homicides, already an increase over last year’s total of 81. In 2013, the city recorded 100 homicides. James said he started to get the ball rolling for the task force this past August, around the time he was sworn in for his second term as mayor. Since approaching Justus to lead the task force, they’ve been working together to find the best citizen representatives work with.

Working with Justus and Dominguez on the task force are:

  • Deidre Anderson, Executive Director, United Inner City Services.
  • Charles Atwell, attorney with Foland Wickens, P.C., and a former Jackson County Circuit Court Judge.
  • Charles Caisley, Vice President, Marketing & Public Affairs, Kansas City Power & Light.
  • Alissia Canady, Fifth District City Councilwoman.
  • Jose Faus, Artist, Writer and Educator.
  • Tina Harris, Pastor, Grand Avenue Temple United Methodist Church.
  • Jill M. Katz, Attorney.
  • Jonathan Kemper, Vice Chairman, Commerce Bancshares Inc.
  • Rodney Knott, CEO, ReEngage Staffing Services.
  • Allan Markley, Superintendent, Raytown Quality Schools.
  • Nancy Olivares, Attorney.
  • D.J. Pierre, Assistant City Prosecutor, City of Kansas City, Missouri.
  • Judy Sherry, President-Owner, Judy Sherry Consortium, Advertising & Marketing.
  • Rosilyn Temple, Founder and Executive Director, Kansas City Chapter, Mothers in Charge Inc.
  • Wick Thomas, Teen Services Librarian, Kansas City Public Library.
  • Crystal Williams, Jackson County Legislator.

The mission of the 16 member task force is to gather facts and data to recommend pragmatic policies and solutions about how Kansas City can prevent, address and respond to all forms of violence. Justus indicated that if they can come up with a policy or solution that benefits at least one family, then they would have achieved their goal.

“The numbers are up [for homicides and aggravated assaults] and people are dying and I want to know if we’re doing everything we can to stop it,” James said. “Citizens will know a hell of a lot more about violence in Kansas City once we’re done.”

James said the task force will take a year to collect data before recommending any policies. The City Clerk will post public notices of all task force meetings.