This is the first week of Gov. EricGrietens'santi-violence initiative in St. Louis.
The governor is partnering with state local and federal law-enforcement officials as well as mental health and social service providers to make an extreme push to prevent violence and get criminals off the street. Kansas City organizations are watching what's happening in St. Louis with a critical eye.
Rosilyn Temple, founder of Mothers in Charge, is excited about the anti-violence initiative in St. Louis. Temple wants the governor to bring the same initiative to Kansas City, Missouri.
"We are one state and we have the same violence in Kansas City so we need the help too--we need to stop the killing," said Temple.
Damien Daniels, President of Kansas City's is AdHoc Citizens Against Crime, said he is an applauding Governor Grietens' anti-violence push in St. Louis.
"The governor is right about saying it's time to do something," said Daniels.
But Daniels added that policy changes need to be made at the state level to provide mental health services and connect people with jobs to help reduce the violence long-term.
