Kansas City police host listening session for residents, businesses in 18th & Vine District

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Kansas City police hosted a listening session Tuesday for neighbors and business owners in the 18th & Vine District.About 60 people attended. At each table, there were about eight citizens and two officers from Central Patrol. The goal of the meeting was to be collaborative and engaging. Police said they want to hear from neighbors and businesses on ways they all can prevent and solve crimes, especially after the recent shootings and the murder of fitness trainer Gary Taylor.In the end, people said they want more listening sessions, the officer-friendly program back in schools where police make visits to elementary children, more security and checkpoints like at Westport, and a community liaison between citizens and the police.”There is a community here in 18th & Vine that are invested in their community. They love the residential area,” said the Rev. Cassandra Wainwright, of the Concerned Clergy Coalition KC.”I’m faithful and hopeful something will change. Anytime you get a room full of people that’s talking, I think it was a chance for all of us to be a little more empathetic,” said Joey Thomas, of 180V Barber Salon.”We have a city that’s known for jazz but we don’t have a developed jazz district. How is that possible unless it’s on purpose?” said Henry Service, owner of the Lincoln Building.”Doing these and being engaged as we were here, I think that really helps us get to know the community as a whole,” said Kansas City police Officer Charmainne Sanders.At one point the meeting broke out into song. Solutions are not set in stone, but everyone agreed the discussion was worthwhile.Police said they plan to host another listening session like this one in another part of town.