Mayor Sly James speaks out on youth violence

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - About 36 hours after a shooting melee at a teen dance injured five people -- at least one of them critically -- Mayor Sly James spoke out about violence.

The mayor said Monday that more needs to be done to keep teenagers occupied.

The teens were hurt when shooting broke out both inside and outside the Tropical Palms Banquet Hall at 5614 E. 87th St.

James said that there was some success with programs that went into place last year after a shooting on the Plaza.

But he also said he's worried about guns.

“The other concern I have is an ongoing concern with the proliferation of guns,” James said. “Sorry, I just have a serious problem with the fact that you don't know who you're standing next to and whether or not they're packing.”

The mayor said the programs that began last summer were great, but there was not enough money to extend them through the school year. However, the budget for this summer has been doubled to $400,000.