KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, officials met Wednesday to discuss Operation Legend, a federal initiative to decrease violent crime in the city.
The operation is named after 4-year-old LeGend Talifero who was a victim of a shooting earlier this month.
Federal involvement in the area crime problems has received mixed reactions, with some concern that it could mean police militarization.
At Wednesday's meeting, Mayor Quinton Lucas said that the operation will be about support for crime victims, not about "tanks on streets."
Mayor Quinton Lucas says this will not be about tanks on KC streets. It’s about support for crime victims. https://t.co/5qH7TDOwgC
— Bryant Maddrick (@BryantOnTV) July 15, 2020
Other officials stated that the operation will focus on rule of law and will not replace local law enforcement, but will help support them in catching criminals. The focus will be on clearing homicide cases.
US Attorney adds feds will include investigators who will NOT replace local law enforcement, but will assist in finding and catching criminals. https://t.co/aLQyaymuZw
— Bryant Maddrick (@BryantOnTV) July 15, 2020
Community activist Rosilyn Temple was at the meeting and urged the community to step up to help catch killers like the one who took LeGend's life.
Rosilyn Temple with KC Mothers in Charge says it will take a community to step up. Urges community to help catch killer or killers or LeGend. https://t.co/WMkNf5yIa5 pic.twitter.com/7lc2hXtF1N
— Bryant Maddrick (@BryantOnTV) July 15, 2020
This is a developing story and will be updated.
