KCPD Chief Darryl Forte is holding one-on-one meetings with the community to talk about how to reduce crime.
Forte said he wants to talk to people who organize or help out with anti-violence programs in their neighborhoods.
Most of the violent crime in Kansas City, Missouri happens within one section: St. John Ave to 87th Street, and Troost Ave to Topping Ave. Forte wants to focus on these areas.
You can call to make an appointment if you would like a meeting.
Police Headquarters
11th & Locust, KCMO
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 4, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
816-234-5010
10-15 minutes
Deidre Anderson, director of the United Inner City Services, meets with Chief Forte Tuesday.
Many kids at the early childhood learning center are in poverty or have witnessed violence and trauma. The center also provides parenting classes and resources for low-income families.
Anderson says she needs two things from police: presence and communication.
She wants more officers at the center to build positive, permanent relationships with kids early-on.
"They need to be exposed to something different. We bring officers and they do classroom lessons with officers and they talk to them about safety and, you know, crosswalks and pedestrian safety. At a really young age, kids can adopt really negative attitudes about police and that's not a message that we want to perpetuate," Anderson said.
Anderson thinks KCPD can improve their communication, especially when something dangerous happens nearby.
"If we need to do a lockdown because something's going on, we want to know that. The other thing is, we could benefit from training or support from the police department to ensure that our crisis planning is as robust as possible," Anderson explained.
The UICS holds community forums, and Anderson thinks Chief Forte should come to hear what people in the Northeast really think.
"That allows him to have training and programs in place to ensure that the officers have positive relationships with community. I know they want to, but sometimes they're not aware of the things they're doing that may be interfering with that goal," Anderson said.
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Sarah Plake can be reached at Sarah.Plake@KSHB.com
