Neighborhood Prosecution: East Zone
Mission
The mission of the East Zone Neighborhood Prosecution Team is to develop long-term strategies that improve public safety and enhance the quality of life of neighborhoods in Kansas City, Missouri.
Goals
The major goals of the East Zone Neighborhood Prosecution Team are to bridge the gap between the City Prosecutor’s Office, the East Patrol Division of the Kansas City Police Department, local community organizations and the residents in the neighborhoods of East Patrol Zone. The Team is fostering working partnerships with neighborhood associations, local schools, businesses and elected officials.
Frequently Asked Questions:
WHAT IS NEIGHBORHOOD PROSECUTION?
Similar to how police officers are assigned to a particular area of the City, with Neighborhood Prosecution a City Prosecutor is responsible for a community within the City. Neighborhood Prosecution is a pro-active approach to prosecuting quality of life crimes that effect a particular community. Varied approaches are used to prevent and reduce crime, including working with law enforcement, residents and local groups within the community to develop long-term problem-solving strategies. These strategies will be tailored to each community in order to address the quality of life issues that are of the greatest concern to its residents.
- WHAT IS VERTICAL PROSECUTION?
Vertical prosecution is when a prosecutor handles a case from start to finish. With vertical prosecution, the prosecutor can be the effective voice of the community at each stage of the case. - WHAT IS A “QUALITY OF LIFE” CRIME?
A “quality of life” crime is a lower level, non-violent crime that effects the neighborhood. Types of offenses include: graffiti, trespassing, loitering, prostitution, low level drug dealing, illegal dumping, abandoned autos, and nuisance properties. - WHY FOCUS ON THE EAST ZONE?
The Neighborhood Prosecution Team is concentrating resources to an identified geographic area. The pilot project is launching for neighborhoods in the KCPD East Patrol division (approximately Cliff Drive to Blue Parkway and Wabash to I-435). - WHAT IS MY PART IN NEIGHBORHOOD PROSECUTION?
- Get involved by attending your local neighborhood meetings and voice your concerns about crime in your neighborhood.
- Call the police if you are the victim or a witness to a crime. You may be called as a witness in the case. It is extremely important that you show up to be a witness in court. This responsibility may require more than one trip to court.
- Contact the Neighborhood Prosecution Project if you have any questions regarding the municipal court process or desire to work on crime reduction or crime prevention strategies.
Documents
Do you live in the East Patrol Division? If so, please assist us in making a more liveable community by taking our
Neighborhood Prosecution Survey.
Are you the victim of a crime in the East Patrol Division that is being heard in Kansas City Municipal Court? Filling out the
Community Impact Statement, may help the neighborhood prosecutor during plea negotiations and/or sentencing.
Check out the Neighborhood Prosecution’s quarterly crime prevention newsletter, “Safe Streets”:
Volume 1, Issue 
