Residents discuss ways to reduce violence

Photos by Brian Turrel

Small group discussion participants brainstormed ideas Dec. 13 about how Kansas City, Kan., would be safer and healthier in 10 years at the Mayor’s Clergy Roundtable community dialogue on reducing violence. The event was at the Diane Kane Community Center in the Piper area of Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Small group discussion participants brainstormed ideas Dec. 13 about how Kansas City, Kan., would be safer and healthier in 10 years at the Mayor’s Clergy Roundtable community dialogue on reducing violence. The event was at the Diane Kane Community Center in the Piper area of Kansas City, Kan. About 30 people attended. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

The Mayor's Clergy Roundtable held a community dialogue on reducing violence at the Diane Kane Community Center in Piper on Dec. 13. Mark Holland, mayor of Kansas City, Kan., introduced the event and talked about recent trends in crime locally and nationally. This was the last of four community dialogue events held across the city. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
The Mayor’s Clergy Roundtable held a community dialogue on reducing violence at the Diane Kane Community Center in Piper on Dec. 13. Mark Holland, mayor of Kansas City, Kan., introduced the event and talked about recent trends in crime locally and nationally. This was the last of four community dialogue events held across the city. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Kansas City, Kan., Police Chief Terry Ziegler spoke to the crowd Dec. 13 at the community dialogue on reducing violence. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Kansas City, Kan., Police Chief Terry Ziegler spoke to the crowd Dec. 13 at the community dialogue on reducing violence. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Residents shared their thoughts about barriers to creating a safer community, including lack of local resources, negative media representations, and relations between residents and the police department. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Residents shared their thoughts about barriers to creating a safer community, including lack of local resources, negative media representations, and relations between residents and the police department. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Residents discussed ways to overcome barriers to a safer community, including community cooperation with schools and teachers, and better communication between residents and city government. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Residents discussed ways to overcome barriers to a safer community, including community cooperation with schools and teachers, and better communication between residents and city government. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Major Bill Howard Jr. of the Kansas City, Kan., police department participated in a small group discussion. Howard expressed the concern he feels about crime both as a resident and a police officer. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Major Bill Howard Jr. of the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department participated in a small group discussion. Howard expressed the concern he feels about crime both as a resident and a police officer. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Officer Timothy Fowler of the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department participated in a small group discussion with several local residents. Fowler shared his thoughts about perceptions of the police. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Officer Timothy Fowler of the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department participated in a small group discussion with several local residents. Fowler shared his thoughts about perceptions of the police. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Group discussion facilitator Alyssa Carodine summarized the results of the brainstorming session for the group. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Group discussion facilitator Alyssa Carodine summarized the results of the brainstorming session for the group. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Group discussion facilitator Mark Wiebe asked participants to vote for the barriers to a safer community that they considered the most important. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Group discussion facilitator Mark Wiebe asked participants to vote for the barriers to a safer community that they considered the most important. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Mark Holland, mayor of Kansas City, Kan., talked with participants following the community dialogue on reducing violence. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Mark Holland, mayor of Kansas City, Kan., talked with Paul Soptick and other participants following the community dialogue on reducing violence. (Photo by Brian Turrel)