Task Force Releases Child-Focused Video to Combat Violent Crime

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative operated locally by a community task force, released a public service video today to bring attention to combating violent crime. Today’s video emphasizes that, among 751 people who have been murdered in Kansas City, Missouri, in the last five years, 28 victims have been children.

“Violent crime takes a terrible toll on the families who are directly impacted and on the wider community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “The toll is heaviest when children are victims of violence. By focusing on children, this public service video underscores the need for our community to work together for safer neighborhoods.

“The Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force hopes that this video will be widely seen and shared over social media, and will inspire its viewers to action against violent crime,” Moore added, “because every kid deserves to be a kid.”

The public service video can be viewed online at:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/video/project-safe-neighborhoods

The video will also be promoted through the social media accounts of task force members.

“The unacceptable level of violence in our city is hurting our children and so many others,” said Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith. “We work closely with federal and community partners to hold accountable those who carry out violent acts. Every Kansas Citian - especially children - deserves to feel safe.”

“Every person should be able to live where they feel safe and free from harm and our children deserve to have the opportunity to grow, learn and play without fear of violence,” said Timothy Langan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Kansas City Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to working together to combat violent crime, to protect our community, protect our children and protect our future.”

“Our children deserve safe streets, parks and playgrounds, free from the constant threat of gun fire,” said Frederic Winston, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Kansas City Field Division. “While every day, ATF uses our expertise to battle gun violence, it is only with the community’s help that law enforcement can make every neighborhood a safer place to live, work and play.”

Today’s public service video promotes the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline. The anonymous TIPS Hotline is operated by the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission, a member of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force and the fiscal agent to channel federal funding for the public service video and other initiatives of Project Safe Neighborhoods.

“Since the inception of the TIPS Hotline, over 159,250 anonymous tips have been taken by our program and more than $1.5 million in cash rewards paid,” said Barry Mayer, vice president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission. “Tips have resulted in over 11,450 felony arrests, 25,462 cases cleared, $36,555,571 in recovered property and narcotics, 3,899 fugitives arrested, and 1,848 firearms recovered.

“Our program is credited with 662 solved homicides,” Mayer added. “Included in that is 20 homicides in Kansas City, Mo., that have been solved since we increased our KCMO homicide reward to $25,000 on June 21, 2019.”

Tips can be submitted 24/7 via phone (816-474-8477), mobile app and web at www.KCCrimestoppers.com.  Tips are completely anonymous. The identity of a tipster has never been discovered. Rewards are also paid completely anonymously.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a Department of Justice initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement with community partners to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

In addition to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, members of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force include the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Independence Police Department. Federal partners on the task force include the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.