Thedailymiaminews– Kansas is a state in the Midwest region of the United States. It is recognized for its agriculture, aviation, and aerospace sectors. According to the most recent FBI crime data, it is also home to some of the most hazardous cities in the country. Kansas City is the city that stands out as the murder capital of Kansas among them.
How many murders happen in Kansas City?
The murder rate is a statistic that shows how many murders there are for every 100,000 persons in a specific location. It is frequently used to measure the amount of violence and safety in a neighborhood. In 2020, the murder rate in Kansas City, Kansas, was 30.9, according to the FBI. This means that there were 30.9 murders for every 100,000 residents. This was the fifth-highest murder rate in the United States, behind only St. Louis, Missouri (88.1), Petersburg, Virginia (76.9), Pine Bluff, Arkansas (56.5), and New Orleans, Louisiana (51.0). In comparison, the murder rate in Kansas City, Missouri, which is a distinct city across the state border, was 35.2 in 2020, placing fourth in the nation. In 2020, the murder rate for the entire state of Kansas was 6.0, which is a little lower than the national average of 6.5.
What are the reasons for and the effects of the high murder rate in Kansas City?
The high murder rate in Kansas City can be attributed to a number of causes, including poverty, unemployment, drug trafficking, gang activity, domestic violence, and easy access to firearms. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that the poverty rate in Kansas City, Kansas, was 19.8% in 2019. This is higher than the state average of 11.4% and the national average of 12.3%. In October 2021, the unemployment rate in Kansas City, Kansas, was 7.3%. This was higher than the state average of 3.5% and the national average of 4.6%.
The city has a history of drug-related crimes, particularly those using methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl. Gangs like the Crips, the Bloods, and the Surenos have been involved in deadly turf conflicts and retaliatory killings. In 2019, domestic violence was responsible for 40% of the killings that occurred in Kansas City, Kansas, making it a significant factor in the number of homicides. Furthermore, Kansas has some of the most relaxed gun regulations in the nation, which means that people can carry concealed firearms without needing a permission or a background check.
The inhabitants and community of Kansas City are facing major consequences due to the city’s high murder rate. It has an impact on the quality of life, public health, economic development, and social cohesion in the city. It instills a feeling of fear, distrust, and hopelessness in the population, particularly the youth, who are subjected to violence and trauma every day. It also costs the city millions of dollars in law enforcement, criminal justice, health care, and social assistance. In addition, it harms the city’s reputation and image, which discourages tourism, investment, and innovation.
What are some potential ways to lower the murder rate in Kansas City?
There is no simple or fast way to lower the murder rate in Kansas City, but there are some potential solutions that could be effective in the long run. A few examples of them are:
- Increasing the budget and resources for the police department, the courts, and the penal system in order to improve the capability and efficiency of crime prevention, investigation, prosecution, and rehabilitation.
- Establishing community-based programs and initiatives, such as neighborhood watch, mediation, mentoring, and outreach, in order to build positive relationships and trust between the police and the residents, as well as to address the underlying causes and risk factors of violence, including poverty, education, mental health, and substance abuse.
- Making gun control laws and regulations stricter by mandating background checks, permits, and training for all gun owners, as well as banning or limiting the sale and possession of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and silencers.
- Promoting a culture of peace and nonviolence through education, media, and social movements in order to increase awareness and confront the conventions and attitudes that celebrate or justify violence, as well as to develop the values and skills of empathy, respect, and conflict resolution.
Final Thoughts
In 2020, Kansas City, Kansas, had a murder rate of 30.9, making it the city with the highest murder rate in Kansas and one of the most hazardous cities in the United States. The high murder rate is caused by a number of complicated causes, including poverty, unemployment, drug trafficking, gang activity, domestic violence, and easy access to guns. The city’s high murder rate has a detrimental effect on the quality of life, public health, economic development, and social cohesion. In order to lower the number of murders, the city must take a thorough and coordinated approach that involves the government, the police, the community, and civil society. This approach should address the causes and effects of violence and foster a culture of peace and nonviolence.