News

Actions

Barbershops stay open 24 hours, give free haircuts during 'Operation Cease Fire'

Posted at 4:59 PM, Jul 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-21 17:59:02-04

In an effort to stop the violence in Kansas City, Missouri, some barbershops are staying open 24 hours this weekend.

It’s an initiative through Operation Ceasefire KC.

“Operation Ceasefire is the movement to try and stop some of the gun violence in Kansas City,” organizer, Ronell Bailey said.

Eight local barbershops and hair salonswill be open 24 hours, providing free haircuts.

One of those barbershops is High Energy Cuts.

“In the situation we come from, we always talking to young cats or you know what I'm saying, give them guidance in the streets, or if in the shop,” barber and owner of the shop, Tony Allen said.

“The barbershop is the foundation for our community,” Bailey said. “You can come to our barbershops and get advice from barbers. You can get mentors and things like that, you can even walk in and get a problem solved any time of the day. This is not only just to cut hair but to be an inspiration on people's lives also.”

This is the second year of this initiative. Bailey says the idea came from Barbershop 3.

“We were going through an epidemic with murders and stuff last year. And I was like hey man, what do you think about doing something like Barbershop 3,” Bailey said.

Through this initiative, barbers and hair stylists hope to bring the gun violence down and open up the door for conversation.

“The only thing we do here is try and talk with them and give them a better way. You know what I'm saying, try to give them an outlet,” Allen said. “We’re trying to just reach one, teach one. You know, if we can reach one, we can teach one.”

It’s an outlet that hopes to bring the community together.

“Our city, we need a little help in that area, we really do. It's time for us to love on eachother and unite and come together,” hair stylist MiMi French said.

Through this initiative, organizers expect to provide 500 haircuts this weekend.

“Baby steps, you gotta crawl before you walk and maybe this will domino effect to stop violence you know,” French said.

“It’s something that we try to do to try to elevate our understanding and then we can elevate their understanding so we can kind of come together so we can reach them and talk to them,” Allen said.

Organizers of Operation Ceasefire KC hope to make this a statewide initiative for next year.

Here are the times and shops that are participating:

Friday 12 p.m. - Saturday 12 p.m.

Shear Kuttz #1 | 12710 US S72 Hwy, Grandview, MO
Shear Kuttz #2 | 12710 US S72 Hwy, Grandview ,MO
High Energy Cuts | 6612 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, MO
Rebel Kutz | 3401 E 72nd St., Kansas City, MO
Levelz Barbershop | 2908 E 39th St., Kansas City, MO

Saturday 7 p.m. - Sunday 7 a.m.

Surr CUtts | 6015 Swope Parkway, Kansas City, MO

Sunday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Technique Barber & Beauty | 4206 Troost, Kansas City, MO
1st CUtz Barbershop | 12004 47th. St., Kansas City, MO

Sunday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Brooklyn Kuttz | 3100 Brooklyn, Kansas City, MO