Violence-reduction initiative, SAVE KC, reports on recent "call-in" effort to move gang members away from violence

A representative of the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office and the services director for SAVE KC will update media on the violence-reduction efforts at 1:30 p.m. today at the Kansas City Black Mental Health Initiative, at 300 E. 39th Street Room 5C.

Information below is embargoed until 1:30 p.m. today.

A new violence-reduction program, SAVE KC, on Thursday evening took another positive step forward as it held its third "call-in" this year at an urban core community center,. The meeting engaged gang or group members who have been identified as involved or close to  violence.

Several speakers, including the mother of a homicide victim and a former gang member who served time in prison, spoke to the attendees, focusing them on the choices or options that could offer them a chance to move away from a future associated with violence. The SAVE KC (Stand Against Violence KC Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday) uses a proven violence-reduction strategy known as "focused deterrence."

The focused deterrence strategy requires police intelligence to identify persons associated with violent gangs or groups, then engaging them with new alternatives to change their lives. They are also informed about the enforcement consequences if they continue to be involved in street violence. In 2024, following all-time record highs in homicides in 2020 and 2023, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office and the Kansas City (MO) Police Department initiated a new collaboration called SAVE KC focusing on reducing shootings and homicides in our community.

Police Chief Stacey Graves, Deputy Chief Joe Mabin, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker and Prosecutor-Elect Melesa Johnson attended the call-in Thursday evening.

At each call-in, one to two dozen attendees, many of them on probation and parole, attend. Service providers, social workers and community representatives also attend and engage the invitees, who do not have pending criminal cases. After the presentation, attendees connected with social workers and service providers who can help them with a variety of issues, including conflict resolution, job training and other skills needed to improve their futures.

For more information, contact:

Michael Mansur 

Director of Communication 

Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office 

Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor 

(816) 881-3812 

(816) 674-3954 

mmansur@jacksongov.org 

https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com