Northeast News
March 5, 2014

This crafty, conservative newsdog has long been a vocal critic of the city’s Aim4Peace program. Aim4Peace is supposed to reduce the number of homicides by hosting barbecue dinners and group hugs after a violent incident in the urban core.

Heh.

Its budget has swelled over the years, most recently with a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Justice Department, geared toward reducing teen violence. Late last month, a national Aim4Peace representative testified before a Kansas City, Mo., city council meeting and said in order to work properly, the program would need at least $5 million, per year from the city budget.

Really? Five million dollars?

This newsdog about fell off the pooch-perch. That’s a lot of free hot dogs and T-shirts, don’t ya think? Hopefully, there’s no money in the coffers, think infrastructure improvements here, to increase Aim4Peace’s already bloated budget.

Frankly, given the abysmal results the program has had in its short run in Kansas City, the whole Aim4Peace shootin’ match ought to be kicked to the curb and swept away with the Wednesday garbage. The last time an Aim4Peace sign-carrying, flash mob marched in Northeast beating on windows, rattling doorknobs and screaming bloody murder as their sign toting flash mob trampled through Budd Park, they scared the dickens out of more than a few people.

As far as this news-canine is concerned, they’re persona non grata up here. Here’s a novel idea. Instead of throwing more money at the problem, because we know that always works, how bout re-directing the program’s budget toward something more effective, like more jail space and prosecutors who actually prosecute! We’re relatively certain the county prosecutors in Clay and Platte Counties can give you some lessons if you need em.