Tony: Crime In Kansas City’s White Community

Without question the subject of crime has dominated Kansas City headlines this week.

I’m not gonna get into my typical Waldo Rapist shtick right now but I do think it’s important to point out that Kansas City is learning a painful lesson during this troubling epoch in our history: Crime happens to white people too!

Some folks might question my motives but I’m seriously concerned about the safety of young white women living on their own. I really wish I could protect them all. At least the curvy ones.

But this discussion goes beyond the controversial subject of racism and rape.

Sadly, when it gets down to it crime is always a bit of a numbers game in Kansas City.

And, if my guess about the demographics of this blog are correct, I’ve got a bit of good news to report on this front.

White people are less likely to die in violent crime in Kansas City.

In fact, so far this year nearly all of the victims of violent crime have been young, African-American males. That shouldn’t evoke any feeling of safety but, again, behind closed doors so many people celebrate their inclusion in a less dangerous demographic. However, it’s not all sunshine and flowers. Kansas City’s busiest anti-crime activist Alonzo Washington recently reported that “the 13th murder victim was the 1st White person this year to be killed in KCMO!” So, obviously, there’s a fair share of danger out there for everybody.

And as crime moves to the forefront of our discussion of race, class and gender in Kansas City, I can only hope we can remember that demographics are not destiny and whether we like it or not: We’re all in this together.

Tony Botello