KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Kansas City continues its efforts to address ongoing crime near 31st and Prospect Avenue.
It’s a busy intersection with a library, bus stops and a Sun Fresh Market; a grocery store that has dealt with a lot of safety concerns from theft to vandalism.
On Tuesday, the developer of the Linwood Shopping Center sat down, one-on-one, with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to discuss long-term plans and solutions.
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Developer Donald Maxwell said they now have designated police officers in the area 24 hours a day, seven days a week patrolling the area to try and curb the crime there.
Maxwell said the increased police presence has helped but said it’s a temporary solution and wants the city to make it a permanent one.
He also requested community liaisons walk the streets, sweep, and keep the neighborhood clean to have a better presence.
They also want to find a way to support the grocery store since it’s not only a large investment, but the heart of the community.
Maxwell said he understands that the problems aren’t going to change with a snap of a finger but, feels like the process is at least getting started.
“We have to remain diligent in our request, the city has to maintain its diligence in its commitment to providing security and we’ll see, but we are encouraged by what we talked today we think we will see some positive results,” said Maxwell, “but we think it’s going to be a matter of time. we didn’t create this condition overnight, so we’re not going to fix it overnight.”
Meanwhile, Mayor Lucas said the real way to fight crime is not just by enforcement but development.
He said he has plans to make sure more areas along Prospect are developed and invested in, just as they did with Troost Avenue.
Mayor Lucas said the next step is also to stay on top of calls, something these business owners are eager to see happen.
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“We do feel like we’ve been asking for help for a long time, but at least over the last three weeks we have seen a much different response than what we’ve received in the past,” said Maxwell, “so we’re encouraged by that. We have to stay diligent we want to take our foot off the gas, we do want to see this kind of police presence and this kind of commitment to the community.”
Maxell said that Mayor Lucas was receptive to his ideas and would get back to him.
Maxwell told KCTV5 he recognizes that the problems in the area weren’t created overnight, and they won’t be solved overnight, either.
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