Westport business owners are grappling with the aftermath of a mass shooting that occurred on Wednesday evening, leaving five people injured. The incident took place in the 300 block of Westport Road, just east of Broadway Boulevard, around 8 p.m. Four adult men and one teenage male were shot and are reported to be in stable condition as of Thursday morning.
The shooting has left local entrepreneurs shaken, with some expressing frustration over the broader issue of crime in Kansas City. Lindsey Kupper, owner of Gilded Chaos, a vintage store adjacent to POP! Vintage Furniture and Accessories, where a window was shattered during the incident, emphasized that this is not an isolated Westport problem but a citywide concern.
Kupper, who recently experienced a robbery at her own business, highlighted the strain on local law enforcement resources. She noted the difficulty in even filing a police report due to the shortage of officers available to respond to incidents.
In response to the growing concerns about public safety, Kansas City leaders unveiled a new initiative called KC United for Public Safety on Thursday afternoon. This coalition brings together community organizations, local businesses, elected officials, and law
enforcement to address the root causes of violence in the city.
The comprehensive plan, developed over several months with input from 250 community organizations, aims to reduce gun violence by 50 percent within five years and bring the annual homicide rate below 100. It also seeks to make measurable economic impacts in areas such as employment, income, housing, and business growth.
Mayor Quinton Lucas, Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw, Police Chief Stacey Graves, KC Common Good CEO Klassie Alcine, and Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce President Joe Reardon were among the speakers at the press conference announcing the initiative.
A notable presence at the event was Ossco Bolton, founder and director of Peers Organized to Support Student Excellence (P.O.S.S.E.). Bolton, who has personal experience with gang involvement in his youth, now works to provide alternatives for young people at risk of joining gangs. He views the public safety plan as an authentic opportunity for change, emphasizing the importance of including those with lived experience in decision-making processes.
The 42-page report outlines a three-phase approach: intervention, prevention and sustainability, and addressing root causes. City leaders have studied successful models from other cities like Omaha, Chicago, and Baltimore to inform their strategy.
Despite the recent violence, some business owners remain resilient. Kupper expressed her determination to continue operating her business in Westport, stating, “I refuse to have fear. I think that crime like this is happening all over the city, and this isn’t necessarily a Westport thing, and so something like this is not enough for me to not continue my business.”
As the community comes to terms with the recent shooting, the newly announced public safety plan offers hope for long-term solutions to violence in Kansas City. The collaboration between various
stakeholders and the inclusion of voices from those directly affected by violence signals a comprehensive approach to tackling this complex issue.
The success of this initiative will depend on the continued engagement of community members, law enforcement, and city leaders in
implementing and refining the strategies outlined in the plan. As Kansas City moves forward, the focus remains on creating a safer environment for all residents and visitors while addressing the underlying factors contributing to violence in the city.