PBS feature 'A Tale of Three Cities' takes deep look at KC's most violent year

Kansas City PBS proudly presents A Tale of Three Cities: The Search for a Kansas City Crime Fix. Following the most violent year in Kansas City’s history, award-winning filmmaker Michael Price explores successful crime reduction programs across the region in search of solutions. Tune in to Kansas City PBS Channel 19.1 on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. to see successful solutions applied in Omaha, Nebraska, and a little closer to home in Kansas City, Kansas.  

“A Tale of Three Cities is a timely showcase of the impactful work being done in our community and beyond to combat and reduce violent crime,” said Kliff Kuehl, president and CEO of Kansas City PBS. “I’m honored that Kansas City PBS continues to partner with talented filmmakers like Michael Price. This allows us to help highlight our communities' challenges while seeking proven solutions that spark important conversations and inspire change.” 

In 2023, Kansas City celebrated its second consecutive Super Bowl win while the city saw its highest violent crime rates in years. This reality boiled to a head after the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory parade was cut short after a deadly shooting — putting the city’s challenges with violent crime into laser-sharp focus. In the immediate aftermath, one local leader called it the city’s “9/11 moment.” 

A Tale of Three Cities shares an intimate look at local crime prevention initiatives like KC Common Good and retired programs like KC NoVa. The show also ventures to Kansas City, Kansas, to follow police officers on patrol, exploring their successful strategies in fostering positive relationships with the community and holding violent criminals accountable. Price travels to Omaha, Nebraska, to speak with the organizers behind the Omaha 360 initiative, a program that earned national acclaim as a leading violence prevention model. 

To hear from local leaders and learn how our Midwestern neighbors are tackling violent crime, tune in to A Tale of Three Cities on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. To learn more, visit kansascitypbs.org/threecities. 

A Tale of Three Cities is made possible by the Health Forward Foundation and the William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee.