When you think of the CDC and health department, you may think of epidemics like zika or the flu. But what about crime?
City leaders in Kansas City are taking a different approach to combat the spike in violence.
The city formed the Citizens Task Force on Violence in hopes of finding solutions to the growing problem. For Councilwoman Alissia Canady, it's personal.
"I'm from this community. It's like looking in the mirror and ignoring your own face," Canady said. "When I look in the mirror I see victims."
The goal for the task force is to tackle crime before it starts and quickly identify hot spots -- comparing it to attacking cancer before it grows.
"If violence is a disease, those close to those that've been shot...those people are most likely to be impacted next," said Canady.
The task force has teamed up with the KC Health Department and a California nonprofit, The Prevention Institute, to find answers.
