Out here at round 2 of town halls for the new #kcmo public safety framework, The Reform Project KC. We’re in the gym at the Southeast Community Center. Chairs as spaced far apart and everyone’s masked up.

@QuintonLucasKC giving introductions

Now they’re saying that this is actually the first town hall out of four. Today is focusing on the ‘prevention’ pillar of the four pillars of the reform project—prevention, intervention, law enforcement and community, and administrative reform.

Lucas defines administrative reform as decriminalizing poverty. Once you get caught up in the system, it’s hard to break out if it.

@Marvia4KCKids speaking now about the importance of youth programs in steering kids away from crime. Folks can become advocates for their neighborhoods and for the youth in their community.

Community comments starting now

Community member talking about the importance of registering and being able to track firearms. If firearms get stolen, it’s hard to know whose they are. He says mandatory registration would be very handy.

Next speaker keeps it brief and says that housing affordability (or the lack thereof) leads to desperation which leads to crime.

Lucas admits that it wasn’t the best move to hold community meetings at police stations because a lot of people don’t feel comfortable going there.

Two Missouri state reps in the house: Mark Sharp and Richard Brown, who is speaking now. He’s highlighting the challenges of changing gun laws, which needs to be done at the state level.

Next speaker talks about how the people we’re having this conversation about aren’t even here and how there are so many barriers for folks to even get to this meeting tonight.