Frustration boiled over at the Kansas City Public Safety Committee meeting as business owners in the Crossroads District voiced concerns about rising crime, saying it is driving away customers and threatening their livelihoods.Some restaurant owners reported a 30% decline in foot traffic due to public safety concerns. Security footage from businesses in the Crossroads continues to capture break-ins and car thefts, exacerbating fears among business owners and customers alike.Kansas City Councilmember Wes Rogers echoed these concerns, stating, “If you talk to anybody in our city—North, South, East, West—they will tell you the number one issue is crime.”In an effort to curb crime, city officials are considering a proposed ordinance that would allocate $1 million in taxpayer funds to hire private security for entertainment districts.However, some business owners argue that private security alone will not solve the problem.”We’re in this position because the city has failed to make the neighborhood safe and desirable,” said Doug Winter, vice president of operations for Parlor, a food and entertainment venue in the Crossroads.Kansas City Police Department staffing levels have remained significantly below their target for years.The department aims to have 1,408 officers, but as of December 2024, it remains 273 officers short.Kansas City Police Department staffing over recent years:2024 – 1,135 officers2023 – 1,127 officers2022 – 1,149 officers2021 – 1,159 officers2020 – 1,288 officers”Crime in the Crossroads District is an emergency and needs to be addressed at the highest level,” Winter added.Business owners say the impact extends beyond repair costs from property damage and theft. “We were told to be a good witness, but don’t get involved. It’s just a car,” Winter said. “To us, it’s more than a car. It’s our transportation to work. They are a guest that will never come back.”Unlike most cities, Kansas City does not control its police force. The state-appointed Board of Police Commissioners oversees KCPD, limiting the city’s ability to set policing policies.”We can’t direct policy of the police department. That’s not an excuse. That’s a statement,” said Councilwoman Andrea Bough, who represents the city’s 6th District at Large. “This ordinance is trying to do something to supplement that.” KMBC reached out to the Board of Police Commissioners and Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe for comment but did not immediately receive a response.——Mayor Quinton Lucas talks $1M proposal to hire more off-duty officers, combat property crime:
Frustration boiled over at the Kansas City Public Safety Committee meeting as business owners in the Crossroads District voiced concerns about rising crime, saying it is driving away customers and threatening their livelihoods.
Some restaurant owners reported a 30% decline in foot traffic due to public safety concerns.
Security footage from businesses in the Crossroads continues to capture break-ins and car thefts, exacerbating fears among business owners and customers alike.
Kansas City Councilmember Wes Rogers echoed these concerns, stating, “If you talk to anybody in our city—North, South, East, West—they will tell you the number one issue is crime.”
In an effort to curb crime, city officials are considering a proposed ordinance that would allocate $1 million in taxpayer funds to hire private security for entertainment districts.
However, some business owners argue that private security alone will not solve the problem.
“We’re in this position because the city has failed to make the neighborhood safe and desirable,” said Doug Winter, vice president of operations for Parlor, a food and entertainment venue in the Crossroads.
Kansas City Police Department staffing levels have remained significantly below their target for years.
The department aims to have 1,408 officers, but as of December 2024, it remains 273 officers short.
Kansas City Police Department staffing over recent years:
- 2024 – 1,135 officers
- 2023 – 1,127 officers
- 2022 – 1,149 officers
- 2021 – 1,159 officers
- 2020 – 1,288 officers
“Crime in the Crossroads District is an emergency and needs to be addressed at the highest level,” Winter added.
Business owners say the impact extends beyond repair costs from property damage and theft.
“We were told to be a good witness, but don’t get involved. It’s just a car,” Winter said. “To us, it’s more than a car. It’s our transportation to work. They are a guest that will never come back.”
Unlike most cities, Kansas City does not control its police force.
The state-appointed Board of Police Commissioners oversees KCPD, limiting the city’s ability to set policing policies.
“We can’t direct policy of the police department. That’s not an excuse. That’s a statement,” said Councilwoman Andrea Bough, who represents the city’s 6th District at Large. “This ordinance is trying to do something to supplement that.”
KMBC reached out to the Board of Police Commissioners and Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
——
Mayor Quinton Lucas talks $1M proposal to hire more off-duty officers, combat property crime:
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