Letter to the editor: A new ‘Kansas City Plan’ to fix homicide, education problems

Make a plan

The number of homicides in Kansas City from 2015 through 2019 totaled 679. To date in 2020, the number was 81 as of June 7. High murder rates exist in every major U.S. city. The victims should be mourned as much as outrage should be expressed over George Floyd’s homicide.

The prevalence of guns, high unemployment, inadequate health care, poverty and lack of family structure are not causes — they are symptoms.

We believe there must be a two-tier approach to begin making life more livable in the city.

First: Can a law be enacted to have guns registered? There may be other ways to control gun ownership.

Second: A comprehensive plan that addresses several issues should be developed to find a new, effective way to reduce homicides.

This plan should deal with our challenges by establishing a commission made up of core figures in our city. The areas that require attention include education (only 65.3% of Kansas City students graduate from high school), health. housing, employment and recreation.

It is our opinion that the mayor should appoint the commission to carry out a plan according to the suggestions offered here, immediately.

Providing hope for a better life must be a high priority. Implementation of this comprehensive approach — the Kansas City Plan — could serve as a model for other cities.

It is time to offer hope and a better quality of life to our neighbors.

- Richard Berkley, former Kansas City mayor, Kansas City

- Sol Koenigsberg, executive director emeritus, Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, Overland Park