COMBAT promotes crime hotline

Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders knows tips play a vital role in solving crimes. As a former County Prosecutor, he also realizes drug-related offenses can escalate to more serious and violent crimes.

Therefore, with violent crimes on the rise in Kansas City, Missouri, this year, Jackson County decided to launch a "Don't Look... The Other Way. Step Up. Speak Up." drive to promote the use of the countywide crime hotline -- (816) 881-3662 -- being operated by the COMBAT (Community Backed Anti-Drug Tax) staff. The information is being taken anonymously.

"As County Prosecutor, I saw how crucial it was to get the information, not the person's name," Sanders said. "The key to solving most crimes is simply getting someone to call in and just tell what it is they know or suspect."

Personnel handling the calls to (816) 881-3662 are on duty weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A system for leaving tips via voicemail messages is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Drugs Lead To Violent Crimes

In January, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, along with Kanasa City Police Department and state and federal officials annouced the establishment of the Kansas City No Violence Alliance (NoVA). The NoVA initiative is hyper-focused on crime deterrence, but the whole community - every one of us - needs to be vigilant and involved.

"Drug use and drug trafficking lead to violence," said Sanders. "It's fitting that we establish this hotline through COMBAT. We want people to call in and report what they know before more violence occurs."

“The connection between illegal drugs and violence is undeniable,” Sanders stated. “We have to break the cycle of drugs causing robberies, assaults and murders.”