RESOLUTION NO. 220679
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RESOLUTION - Directing the City Manager to develop a funding and implementation plan for a hotline staffed with experienced and trained professionals designed to provide alternatives to individuals, especially youth, who are considering violence; and requesting a report back to the Council within sixty days.
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WHEREAS, nearly twenty percent of all Missouri high school students reported carrying a weapon to school at least once in the past thirty days; and
WHEREAS, nearly twenty-five percent of all Missouri high school students reported being in a physical fight at least once in the past thirty days; and
WHEREAS, more than forty percent of female high school students and twenty-four percent of male high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks in the past year; and
WHEREAS, more than twenty percent of female high school students and more than thirteen percent of male high school students seriously considered suicide in the past year; and
WHEREAS, 165 youth between the ages of fourteen and nineteen lost their lives in the years 2017 to 2019; and
WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City, Missouri is not immune to violence, which has detrimental effects on physical and mental health, particularly for young persons; and
WHEREAS, a hotline staffed with experienced and trained professionals is designed to provide options for making better choices to individuals considering violence, especially youth, when faced with non-emergency conflict that could lead to future violence; and
WHEREAS, as of August 8, 2022, there have been 101 homicides in Kansas City this year, a rate of 19.9 per 100k residents; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes that violence prevention can make a lasting impact on the lives of all residents; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That the City Manager is hereby directed to develop a funding and implementation plan for a hotline staffed with experienced and trained professionals designed to provide alternatives to individuals, especially youth, who are considering violence.
Section 2. That the City Manager shall report back to the Council within 60 days.
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