KCK Churches, Officials Confront Youth Violence
The pews at Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in KCK were almost full before the program began. In a city where headlines often focus on violence and hardship, this turnout felt different—a sign that hope and urgency can occupy the same space.
Churches United for Justice, a grassroots coalition spanning 17 congregations, had summoned community members and local leaders for its latest Nehemiah Action Assembly. They gathered to demand concrete action on affordable housing, senior care, homelessness, and the ever-pressing issue of youth violence.
After the recent event, Dr. Evelyn Hill—Commissioner and longtime advocate—reflected in a public post. “I continue to believe that together we can do great things,” she wrote, calling for unity and practical solutions. “We need the church members together with other community members to work with the Unified Government for solution-based strategies. It’s not going to be an overnight fix”.
Commissioners Melissa Bynum and Andrew Davis, both present at the event, later praised the coalition’s focus online. “I applaud Churches United for Justice for their tireless efforts to enhance Wyandotte County through the community for all ages initiative,” Davis posted, referencing the push for an Affordable Housing Trust Fund and violence prevention.
Their concerns reflect real challenges. Kansas City, Kansas, has historically ranked among the highest in the state for homicides per capita. In 2024, the city recorded just 22 homicides—a historic low and a 23% decrease in violent crime from the previous year, according to KCK police. “When you talk about those numbers, historic lows are always good news,” Mayor Tyrone Garner said, but he cautioned the community not to grow complacent. “We have to continue this work, especially for our youth, who are still at risk.”
Still, the pain of youth violence lingers. According to the Kansas City Star, “more teens and kids in KCK are getting injured or killed by gun violence,” and local experts warn that the trauma runs deep—affecting not just victims, but families and neighborhoods for years. “Missouri doctors and mental health professionals say it has long-term effects,” the paper reported, adding that the region’s youth violence rates remain stubbornly high compared to other parts of the state.
Statewide, recent data shows that while the overall violent crime index rate in Kansas decreased slightly in 2023, Kansas City, Kansas, continues to have one of the highest per capita rates of homicide and youth gun violence in Kansas.
For many in Wyandotte County, the fight for justice is more than a policy debate—it’s lived experience. In her post, Dr. Hill marveled at the turnout: “Wow, what an excited crowd for justice in Wyandotte County.” Her optimism is matched by resolve. “We need to not blame or shame each other. Instead we should be proactive and plan ways to work together to solve these problems.”
As the evening ended and neighbors filed out, the message was clear: progress is possible, but the work is far from finished.
–Metro Voice
