Kimberly J. Benjamin, Founder & Managing Attorney
December 26. 2022.
Crime Rates in Kansas City, Missouri
Crime rates refer to the number of criminal offenses that occurred within a specific location during a given time frame. The figures are obtained from official law enforcement crime reports.
Crime rates are significant because they help to drive law enforcement policies and help the authorities know where more resources are needed. It is also a helpful tool to measure the safety of a neighborhood for those who reside there.
However, if you’ve been charged with an offense, the crime rate for the specific offense could affect your case in several ways. If the crime rates are high, it could affect the court’s decision on whether or not to release you on bail while the case is pending. It could also affect the sentence you receive as the judge may be inclined to hand down the highest sentence possible to serve as a deterrent to others.
Crime rates in Kansas City are established from the records of the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD). If you’re facing criminal charges within the city, the information here can help you be aware of the current crime rates for the offense you’ve been charged with. This way, you’ll know what to expect during the trial and take proper steps to defend yourself.
Keep reading to learn more about the crime rates in Kansas City for the year 2022 and how a Kansas City attorney can help you defend a criminal charge.
Importance of Crime Rates and Statistics
Crime rates and statistics are determined based on crimes reported to the police. Thus any unreported crime would not form part of the official police records. As such, the published crime rates may not accurately represent the crimes that occur in society. Nevertheless, they are still useful in several ways, including the following;
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Crime data could help law enforcement officers predict the occurrence of crime and take proactive steps to prevent such crimes and apprehend perpetrators
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It helps to gauge the degree of public safety in that vicinity and helps residents to know when to apply private safety measures for their protection
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It helps policymakers understand the causes of crime and serves as a guide for preparing crime prevention strategies.
Kansas City Crime Rates 2022
Kansas City is the largest of all cities in Missouri in both population and mass, and as such, its crime rates are likely to significantly impact the overall crime rates for the state.
The 2022 crime statistics for the city relied on here are based on crime reports released by the Kansas City Police within the first quarter of the year. The complete records for the year would likely be released in the year 2023 and would include data for the later parts of the year. Nevertheless, from the current data, the 2022 crime rates for some offenses in Kansas City are as follows;
Murder
The offense of murder attracts the most severe penalties of life imprisonment or the death sentence under Missouri criminal law. Nevertheless, 220 murders were reported in Kansas City between January to April 2022. The KCPD report does not provide a separate section for the homicide rate in Kansas City, so it is likely that the number of homicides reported also forms part of the above figure since murder and homicide are often used interchangeably.
Assault Offenses
Missouri law categorizes assault offenses in degrees depending on their severity. Cumulatively, the KCPD received over 12000 reports of (aggravated) assault within the period in review.
Sex Crimes
Several crimes fall under this category, and each one has its different crime rates thus;
- Forcible rape- 238 reports
- Forcible sodomy- 156 reports
- Forcible fondling -104 reports
- Statutory rape -38 reports.
Driving While Intoxicated
This offense involves driving or operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, such as alcohol or controlled substances. The KCPD recorded 132 reports of such incidents.
Burglary
The rate for this offense stands at 3126 for the said period.
Drug Crimes
Drug crimes in Missouri consist of several offenses, including controlling and possessing controlled substances, manufacturing counterfeit drugs, and unlawful sale and distribution of over-the-counter medication, among others.
Cumulatively the crime rate for reported drug crimes within the stated period is 249.
Robbery
Robbery is a violent crime that involves the forcible stealing of property from the victim(s) with the use of arms or anything resembling a deadly weapon. The KCPD recorded 1416 reports of such incidents in the first quarter of 2022.
Motor Vehicle Offenses
Motor vehicle offenses in Missouri include motor vehicle theft, theft from motor vehicles, and theft of vehicle parts and accessories. The crime reports for these offenses for the stated period are 5986, 5915, and 3286, respectively.
Stolen Property Offenses
The number of stolen property crime reports received by the KCPD within the time in review is 440. This figure does not include other theft offenses, such as shoplifting, burglary, or theft from a building, as those are categorized separately.
Note that the data here is restricted to crime reports and does not mean that all the cases reported would lead to a conviction. The police would need to investigate each report to gather the relevant evidence before a conviction can occur.
What are the typical penalties associated with criminal convictions in Kansas City?
Kansas City, like the rest of Missouri, has strict guidelines for penalties associated with criminal convictions. The severity of these penalties largely depends on the nature of the crime committed. Penalties can range from fines, probation, community service, to incarceration. However, the past years have seen a significant increase in non-fatal shootings and homicides, leading to 2022 being termed the deadliest year in Kansas City. For such severe crimes, convicted individuals could face long-term imprisonment, potentially for life. The Kansas City police and Police Commissioners work rigorously to uphold the law and ensure justice is served.
It’s also noteworthy that Kansas City is a participant in the KC NoVa (Kansas City No Violence Alliance) program. This multi-agency collaboration focuses on reducing violent crime through focused deterrence and by providing social services to individuals most at risk of committing violent acts. This initiative is aimed at not only enforcing the law but also offering young people alternatives to crime, thus minimizing the chance of their encountering the criminal justice system.
How do criminal convictions in Kansas City impact future employment opportunities?
A criminal conviction in Kansas City, like any other place, can have a significant impact on an individual’s future employment opportunities. Many employers perform background checks and may hesitate to hire someone with a criminal record, especially for crimes involving violence or dishonesty. This stigma can be a hurdle even after serving one’s sentence or paying the required fines.
Moreover, certain convictions, such as those for serious felonies, can result in the loss of certain rights, such as the ability to work in certain industries or hold specific professional licenses. This can dramatically limit job prospects and hinder career advancement.
The KC NoVa program and other similar initiatives can help here too. They provide social services including job training and placement assistance for people with criminal backgrounds, helping to reduce the long-term negative impact of a conviction on employment prospects. Nonetheless, a criminal conviction can cast a long shadow, emphasizing the importance of effective legal representation from the start.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
The results of the crime rates for the first quarter of 2022 alone show a prevalence of crime in the city. Hence if you or your loved one has been charged with a crime, there is a good chance that they would be given the highest penalties allowed by law.
Prevalence of crime leads to stricter penalties upon conviction, and repeat offenders are more likely to encounter this if convicted. Therefore it is essential that you do all you can to defend yourself from the charges leveled against you and avoid a conviction as much as possible.
Hiring a criminal defense attorney is a good way to start. Your attorney can apply their legal knowledge and experience to fight for a suitable outcome for you. They can help you establish a suitable defense where possible, offer legal advice, and ensure that your rights are protected at the trial.
Having a lawyer represent you could tilt the odds in your favor as you fight your criminal charges. Consider getting one for yourself today.
Are you facing a criminal charge in Kansas City, and do you have questions about defending yourself? Or do you require the services of a Kansas City Drug Lawyer? In that case, we can help at the Missouri DWI & Criminal Law Center. Contact us today for quality and diligent legal defense; let us help you fight for your freedom.
