Kansas City 2023 Homicide Crisis Impacts Black Neighborhoods

Today, Kansas City's foremost criminology expert blesses our TKC blog community with a bold perspective that is overlooked by every other media outlet. 

Agree or disagree . . . We RESPECT the premise of a recent note from Dr. Ernest Evans.  

From our vantage, here's his argument . . .

We can't hope to solve the KCMO homicide crisis if we aren't allowed to talk about it. 

A preface to his analysis . . .

"A lot of people in our city do not want to hear these painful facts—but the only way to bring the situation under control is to acknowledge what is happening."

Dr. Evans is a thoughtful and educated man. He know the risks involved in bringing up these inconvenient facts but, it seems that he's willing to take the heat if his words can help save lives. 

Here's another insight . . . 

"I realize fully that I will be accused of racism for pointing out this painful reality—and "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."  My interest is in stopping this crime surge in the black neighborhoods of the city—if the price of doing that is me being called a racist then that is a price I am quite willing to pay."

And so, here's the important data sent to our TKC blog community . . . We share this note if only so that information, data and an honest effort to STOP THE VIOLENCE will serve as the guiding principal of this discussion and future considerations . . .

Crime Surge in Black Neighborhoods of KCMO

"There has been a great deal of media attention focused on the surge in the number of homicides in KCMO in 2023.  If we are to bring this crime crisis under control, its exact nature must be understood.  So, allow me to point out something that a lot of people around town do not want to hear:  

"The crime surge is entirely in the black neighborhoods of the city." 

"Specifically, at this point in 2022 there had been 73 homicides—17 white/Asian /Hispanic and 56 black.  As of today in KCMO, in 2023 there have been 17 white/Asian/Hispanic homicides and 80 black homicides." 

"I stress that why there is this surge of violence in the black neighborhoods of the city can be debated.  I am not interested in a "blame game"--only in stopping this ongoing surge of violence affecting the black people of the city.  If we are to stop this wave of violence, its existence must first be acknowledged."
##########

Developing . . .