During difficult time, community wants to hear from KCPD chief

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Many in the community really want to hear from the city’s top officer in the midst of a difficult three weeks in Kansas City.

In that time, innocent children who were 11 and 13 years old have died from gun violence. A third victim, a 6-year-old shot while riding his bike , is still fighting for his life.

Working for you, FOX4 has requested interviews more than a dozen times in recent weeks with Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves. The community would like to hear from the person who runs the department in charge of keeping children safe and catching their killers.

“They spend money on cars, they spend money on fax machines – but they’re not spending money in areas that help them with the relationship with the community,” Eric Wesson, the publisher at The Next Page KC, said.

The question is: Where is the chief? In the last 45 days KCPD could only point to one opportunity when Chief Graves was present with the community and the news media to respond about recent events.

“You know it’s interesting that when you talk about violent crime, you always go to the mayor, or you see the mayor on TV with soundbites – but he’s not an expert on violent crime or crime in general; he’s a politician. So, why isn’t the chief of police stepping forward?” Wesson asked.

The chief did make a prepared statement at a Board of Police Commissioners meeting almost two weeks ago, but she took no questions, and those inquiries are all pertinent to the people she is entrusted to protect and serve.

They want to know why, where and when will the chief be available.

“She’s in over her head – because the culture is so deep and embedded and she’s been there’s a part of that culture for 25 – 26 years – so how does she come in now and change that culture?” Wesson said.

No one is in custody for the killings of 11-year-old Kourtney Freeman or 13-year old Trevion Stewart. FOX4 has submitted another formal request to sit down with Chief Graves and we look forward to that conversation – whenever it may happen.

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