Gang Violence

the police department's gang squad is out on the streets every night trying to cut down on the gang-banging in k.c.Police said that gang activity has gotten a lot worse in the metro over the past few years. In Kansas City alone, police have identified more than 3,000 gang members.Police estimate that there are now more than 100 different gangs in Kansas City, like the East Side Locos, 24th Street NBG and the Northeast Side Bloods.Police estimated that 90 percent of the gang's illegal activity involves drugs.

Teen Abuse Of OxyContin, Heroin On Rise

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Painkillers such as OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin have become gateway drugs for heroin among children, authorities in Johnson County said Friday.

The painkillers are often prescribed to adults, but they're being found and used by children.
Police said there were 24 heroin overdoses in 2008, along with five deaths. In the first half of 2009, there were 22 overdoses and six deaths.
Overland Park police have been tracking the trend. Police said there has been an increase in the cases of OxyContin and heroin in Johnson County, while other drug problems remain steady.
Investigators said the leap from OxyContin to heroin is simple.





Peggy Breit/KMBC
"I believe it's much closer than people perceive. Once they start using OxyContin, they go to heroin because it's a cheaper way of doing it," Sgt. Cindy Henson said.
Authorities said the best advice is to keep your medication in a secure place.
"Lock up your meds -- make sure your meds are secure so that your children, your grandchildren, can't get to them. Hide them, it's that important. Do whatever you have to do. Take an inventory of your meds, know what meds are in your house and keep track of that at all times," said Janine Gracy with the Regional Prevention Center.
Overland Park police, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, and the district attorney's office and other agencies are creating a proactive program to help deal with the increased drug abuse.
Overland Park's video presentation about OxyContin and heroin is now available through schools and every police department in Johnson County.

Teen Violence

Dustin B. Hilt, 18, of Shawnee, Gerald S. Calbeck, 18, of Merriam, and Joseph D. Mattox, 21, of Overland Park, are also charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery. The men killed Alyea.The 18-year-old Overland Park teen was missing for almost a week, but her body was found Monday evening in Cass County, Overland Park police said , It was in a farm field near East 235th Street and South State Route K Highway, police said.
At a press conference today, District Attorney Steve Howe praised Overland Park police and Cass County authorities for the investigation. He declined to say whether Alyea was killed in Johnson or Cass counties, but said Kansas law allows Johnson County to prosecute the crime either way.She had dated hill for about to years they broke up some weeks before the murder.

Issues Related to Gang Violence & Drug Use In Kansas City

In Kansas City teens are the majority of when it comes to gang members. More teens are apart of gangs than adults are. They are also causing most of the violence here in Kansas City. There are at least two or more teens that are killed a month. It almost becomes normal until it hits home, and it's someone you know. Some of the murders are solved some aren't. Shootings occur everyday. They may not always make it to the news but they are always happening. When it comes to drugs, more teens are selling it than using it. The most common used drugs used by teens are Marijuana,which is most common of all, Alcohol, and Pills. Other than that they are selling it. When it comes to prevention, I don't think it can really be stopped. The Code of the streets is "DON'T SNITCH!!!" which often scares a lot of people because they think if they tell, then they will be a new target.