KC’s First-Ever Pre-Arrest Diversion Program Would Be an Investment in People

Decarcerate KC leader Kevin Morgan speaks at a rally in July of 2023. A man wearing a shirt that says “We Keep Us Safe” stands in the foreground. (@DecarcerateKC on Instagram) Some say Kansas City is on the come-up, but the truth is we’re at a tipping point. While we step onto the world’s stage with multiple Super Bowls and the upcoming 2026 World Cup, community concerns over violence grow, and resources like affordable housing and mental health care remain severely limited. For everyday Kansas Citians, one thing is clear: the people of Kansas City deserve more. Things like new sports stadiums and jails are not viable solutions for improving the lives of Kansas Citians. We deserve care. We deserve investment.  This week, Decarcerate KC is launching a vision for REACH KC, a Pre-Arrest Diversion and alternative community response program that would divert people away from arrest and into resources, care, and long-term support. If this program is adopted and fully funded by City Council, it will be the first of its kind in KC, and mark a leap toward ending our city’s reliance on policing and incarceration. By reducing the reliance on these systems and making resources more readily...