Missouri Leaders to Tackle Violence

"We cannot continue to letviolentcriminals destroy our cities andgetaway with it."MISSOURI GOVENRORMIKE PARSON SAYS ASPECIAL SESSION ISNEEDED TO ADDRESSISSUES OF CRIME ACROSSTHE STATE -- INCLUDING INKANSAS CITY.41 ACTION NEWSREPORTER SARAH PLAKEASKED MAYOR QUINTONLUCAS -- IF HE FEELS THISSPECIAL SESSION WILLWORK.Sarah Plake, ReportingGovernor Parson emphasizedthe need to get moreresources to police officers toget violent criminals off thestreets of Kansas City and St.Louis.Governor Mike Parson"If there is ever a time to makesure we give the resources forour law enforcement officersacross this state, now is thattime."Governor Mike Parsonannounced a speciallegislative session that willfocus on violent crime, inreaction to recent crimeincreases in Kansas City andSt.

Louis this year.It'll focus on these 6provisions:-Getting rid of residencrequirements for police in St.Louis - which does NOT applyto Kansas Ci-Determining if a minor shouldbe tried as an adult fweapons charges-Allowing more witnessstatements to be admissiblecourt-Putting more money in thewitness protection fun-Modifying the childendangerment offense tinclude charges for someonewho encourages a minor tocommit a weapons crime-Increasing the penalty forsomeone who sells or gives agun to a minorMayor Quinton Lucas agreedwith the majority of theseinitiatives, such as witnessprotection, but says the focusshould be on the root causesof violence.Mayor Quinton LucasWe need to find ways to getguns out of the hands ofpeople who don't need them -children, domestic abusers,and we need to find ways tosupport mental healthinvestments in Missouri andKansas City so that those incrisis aren't creating morecriminal activity in ourcommunity.Parson also says this is thetime to put more policeofficers "on the ground."He said one reason we don'thave enough officersaddressing crime is becausethey've been working theprotests.

Mayor Lucas saysit's been a challengingsummer, but does not agree.Mayor Quinton Lucasthe trend line that you have inkc, the trend line you have inst louis, throughout state ofmissouri - columbia,springfield - i don't think it'sfair to say that it's relatingtoprotests and being taxed in