Quinton Lucas and KC officials say they take crime seriously

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KCTV) – Mayor Quinton Lucas and other city officials met with community and business leaders near 31st and Prospect Avenue Sunday night. City officials wanted to make it clear to the public that they are taking the recent spate of property crimes and burglaries seriously.

“We're here to say, 'Every crime, no matter how serious or how big, counts in Kansas City,'” Lucas said. “Don't be confused. In Kansas City, there doesn't have to be a gunshot victim to get a response.”

KCTV5 has reported on several property crimes in Kansas City over the past month:

Lucas says the city is trying its best to combat the problems, but acknowledges that actions speak louder than words.

“Our city has a lot of problems. Lots of shopping malls, lots of crime, not enough police, not enough jails, not enough of all that,” Lucas said. “After a while, it sounds like an excuse. We say there really can be no excuses.”

Public Safety Director Melesa Johnson told KCTV5 that property crimes are under-prosecuted in Kansas City. She said changes are needed to reduce crime in KC.

“Currently, our property crimes are sent to the general crimes division, where they get lost in the sea of ​​other cases. They don't get the attention they deserve,” Johnson said. “My plan is to pull these cases out, create a separate, stand-alone property crimes division, but staff it with law students. We want to turn it into a law student office so we can expand our capacity. Our licensed attorneys can focus on the shootings and the more serious cases, but the perpetrators will be held accountable. If this behavior is not stopped, we will continue to be in the state we are in now.”

Many people in Kansas City are frustrated with the illegal carnival shows and street racing that take place downtown every night. Mayor Lucas says the city is trying to do something about it.

“We're trying to tackle a very big problem in a very big city, but we would never use the excuse that it's not a very real problem,” Lucas said.

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