As of today there have been 119 murders in Kansas City so far this year.
The latest homicide involves a grizzly case in which some guy was stabbed to death in his home.
The archives of local blog RDM chronicle Kansas City's strange affection with the so-called "love knife" and other metro stabbings in vivid detail.
I've always thought that stabbing somebody was the most personal of all acts of violence because it requires the perpetrator to get really close in order to do the job. I don't know the numbers but it seems like there are an inordinate amount of deadly stabbings in this cowtown which provides a bit of perspective regarding the way that Kansas City is killing itself. Put simply . . .
It's personal.
That's probably a broad generalization but currently, thankfully this city isn't in the middle of a drug or gang war yet the murder rate only seems to rise. Murder victims are almost always poor but this year there has been a far more noticeable variety between among Black, white, Latino and victims from almost nearly every demographic.
Sadly, there are only few people out there who are capable of dealing with this problem or willing. One of the main benefits of the office of Mayor is the ability to use the bully pulpit to advocate for important causes and so far Mayor Funky has only used this power to defend his wife or promote a failed light rail scheme. There is no arguing that Mayor Funky has proven to be weak on crime and completely unable to provide any leadership; without question Alvin Brooks would have been better on the topic of local violence. Currently, Kansas City is stuck with a Mayor that has already cut police funds, failed to deliver on promises to put more cops on the street and is presiding over the current budget crisis that could CUT EVEN MORE POLICE FUNDING.
But here we are, at the end of the year as murder rate continues to spike and most people in Kansas City are doing their best to ignore the subject of violence.
These facts have inspired tonight's list of songs:
Yes, yes I know I've used a few of these songs before but (unfortunately) violence and murder are a recurring theme in this murderous cowtown. So be careful out there.
As always, thank you for reading. Have a safe and fun weekend.
Can't the City Council do something about crime?
ReplyDeleteTony's KC has completely ignored the many faults of Wayne Cauthen and the City Council in order to pursue his own vendetta against Mayor Funkhouser.
ReplyDeleteyour blog is good good good......
ReplyDeleteNot only are police funds getting axed, but the ambulance service is at risk as well. It seems like we can fund the shit out of parks, settle lawsuits for errant "volunteers" at "undisclosed" amounts, but when it comes to vital services, like police and ambulance, the city is like "Well fuck 'em!"
ReplyDeleteHell, even Truman can't afford to give out bus vouchers any more. What the fuck does that spell? You know how cheap that shit is? That's how dire things are.
Things are Funk'd up.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought that stabbing somebody was the most personal of all acts of violence
ReplyDeleteGuess you've never been raped.
I wouldn't overestimate TKC.
ReplyDeleteBwahahahahahahahahha!