Community works together in push to curb crime

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) -

This year there have already been more homicides in Wichita than last, 43; and according to the FBI, violent crime is up in the city.

This is the driving force behind the push to put an end to crime.

"I'm here to make a difference,” said one Wichita resident.

District one residents are tired of the violence in Wichita, so they packed this room in hopes of finding ways to stop it.

During the meeting, they discussed different plans of action, including getting the youth and more community members involved.

"I just think as far as involvement and communication goes to just talk with people that you don't normally talk with, not just step outside of your comfort zone but lead into this comfort a little bit,” added another community member.  

Just last month, a woman was shot near 13th and Hillside. Months before that, a man was shot in the same area.

It's crimes like this city councilor Brandon Johnson wants to put an end to.

"If we can get community united together, working with the police department, I think that helps solve crime,” said Johnson.

This is the district's second meeting.

"I think there was some good buzz from that first one that says we as a community care,” Johnson recalled. “It's not just the police, it's not just the city council but as organizations and churches we care and we're gonna do something about it."

Johnson wants people to know change doesn't happen overnight.

"We're not gonna have a solution today,” he said. “We're not gonna solve everything. Some of our solutions will work some of them will not. The goal of this is to keep the effort going."

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