KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The expansion of the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office’s Crime Strategies Unit seeks to enhance public safety through “innovative, data-driven approaches.”
Three prosecutors will be appointed to the unit dedicated to taking a “more proactive role in analyzing crime data” and handling cases of offenders with “extensive criminal history and high risk for violent and serious criminal activity,” per the prosecutor’s office.
In a press conference Monday, Prosecutor Melesa Johnson explained the vision is for the unit to “track repeat offenders, identify patterns [and] ensure repeat offenders are held accountable.”
“Allowing us to connect the dots between incidents and recognize when we are dealing with serial offenders. Not only will this help us build strong cases that lead to appropriate changes, but inspire behavioral changes in the long run,” Johnson said.
She explained property crimes often “erode trust” and “undermine the sense of safety every resident in Jackson County deserves.”
Thus, the goal of the unit is to be strategic in identifying those “who are causing the most harm in our community.”
Evan Ashby owns Mildred’s, a coffee shop with three locations in Kansas City, Missouri. He is positive the same man broke into two of his locations in September 2024.
“He’s wearing a blue and green camouflage jacket,” Ashby compared surveillance photos.
Ashby has not heard from police or prosecutors about any charges associated with his cases. He’s optimistic the new approach will make a difference.
“I’m no expert on crimefighting, I know how to make coffee and breakfast sandwiches, that’s my job,” he admitted. “This feels good to have them continuing to show us we’re taking this seriously and working very, very hard prioritizing catching these guys.”
Amy Turpin is also optimistic. She manages The Bar West Plaza. She’s begun ordering replacement doors two at a time because break-ins happen so regularly - the most recent was March 1.
“It’s not going to happen overnight, but we know there is now a process coming and we can look forward to knowing someone is helping small businesses get through all this stuff,” Turpin said.
Ben Cox, Crime Strategies Unit chief trial assistant, said crimes reviewed will range from gang murders to misdemeanors.
“Lower level crimes, when done by repeat offenders to the same people, can have significant impact, too. Our unit is going to deal with all kinds of crimes like that,” Cox said.
He said targeted individuals will include those who have committed two or more felonies or three or more misdemeanors against a single business, person or community.
“We can work with victims and police to ensure enough evidence exists to charge these high-impact offenders, then we’ll communicate with the court about why these people should be kept in jail," he said.
Along with the three prosecutors assigned to the unit, CSU will partner with SAVE KC, the focused deterrence program of the prosecutor’s office, University of Missouri-Kansas City interns, data analysts and a Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department liaison.
With help from neighborhood groups and community engagement, the unit is confident it can ensure “violent offenders are prosecuted effectively.”
“Kansas City is fed up with the gun violence in our streets and the prolific property crime offenders who diminish our quality of life,” said Claire Wyatt, assistant prosecuting attorney.
—
KSHB 41 reporter Charlie Keegan covers politics in Kansas, Missouri and at the local level. Share your story idea with Charlie.