The area has been full of excitement with the local college football & basketball success that has happened this year. All of the area teams are ranked in the top #25 in at least one sport this rarely happens. Today news came out that KCK has achieved a top #25 ranking as well.
TOP 25 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES TO LIVE IN (UNITED STATES).The report looked at 378 cities with at least 75,000 people based on per-capita rates for homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and auto theft.
This might catch some of the residents by surprise because they have been smoke & mirrored by the Village West (look for them to try and join Douglas county soon). Some others might claim that Wyco just suffers from bad PR (whatever that means). Well the reason that they might suffer from bad PR is because the stats back it up. The former Iraqi Information Minister wouldn't take this PR gig.
If you don't want the stigma that goes along with such an honor then clean it up (as some in this story have complained). As long as KCK continues to hold this distinction/honor people will continue to use it as a quick little destination spot to visit and then leave. With high property taxes, dangerous schools and high crime it is going to make it tougher and tougher for this community to compete with North Kansas City, Lee Summit, JOCO, Raymore etc.... KCK has good residents and neighborhoods but not nearly enough. KCK continues to fall behind the rest of the state in wages earned, people living below poverty (18% compared to 11%) and graduation rate. Keep in mind that those numbers are the mere state of ks numbers.
The solution? Lower taxes and increase patrols by KCK officers. The city spend far to much money taking care of those that refuse to take care of themselves. If you cut them off they will go away. If you arrest them, they will go away. If you continue to ignore and make excuses it will still the same.
