Jackson County Prosecutor's Annual Report Spotlights Social Justice

Drastically rising crime numbers don't inspire confidence from voters and that might be why politically & racially charged courtroom victories occupy the top spot in this report over far more depressing data.

To be fair, there's A LOT OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION in this chronicle of local crime and court cases. 

Here are a few of the trends worth nothing . . . 

Women, especially Black women, are increasingly targeted by rising violence. The death toll is staggering and the focus on this trend is well-deserved and important for all of our community. 

Raytown continues to get rougher . . . Violence in the exurbs has been been trending upward steadily but recent police cuts in this city have seemingly worsened the crisis. 

Drug and gun charges dominate the courthouse dockets. However, political pressure has, likely, caused case numbers to decline. 

Here's likely the most important passage . . . 

"Gun violence has increased dramatically over the last decade in Kansas City. As of December 31, 2014, Kansas City recorded 76 homicides. As of December 31, 2020, Kansas City set a homicide record of 176, while 2021 marked the second deadliest year with 158 homicides. Kansas City has one of the nation's highest proportion of homicide by firearm versus other methods. Of Kansas City murder victims, 94% died from a bullet versus strangulation, stabbing, or blunt force trauma."

Now check the intro from the report . . . 

"With gun violence growing as a community concern, it’s important that our city more closely examine the available information about this seemingly insurmountable problem. My office has invested recently in more deeply analyzing available gun violence data. We also are realigning our resources to deal more effectively with violence. Please click on this link to see my office’s new Annual Report, which details these and other efforts, including the Kevin Strickland case. We hope this information assists our community in finding new ways to partner and, finally, to reduce violent crime in every neighborhood."

Here's the data via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . . 

 Jackson County Prosecutor's Office Annual Report: Delivering Justice

You decide . . .