KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A steep murder rate is not good for the public's health. That's the motto of Violence Free KC.
The group is an initiative of the health department and several of its community partners.
Violence Free KC is employing strategies it thinks could help.
They look at the violence problem as a disease, so with the right people in the right places, they think they should be able to cure it.
"Violence operates very much like a disease. If there is a patient zero, whether it is a survivor of violence or not, one of the things we know is we can start to eradicate that disease," said Tracie McClendon-Cole, deputy director of the health department.
Group members said they are trying to attack issues from three points: neighborhoods, those who have experienced violence, and those who are likely to or who have committed violent acts.
One thing they're looking at is how to get their resources into high-risk areas.
They also are looking at risk protective factors.
McClendon-Cole explained these are ways to proactively prevent violence from happening. They are ways to ensure people avoid risks and remain healthy while employing new strategies.
