Kansas City task force to focus on reducing violent crime

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Kansas City has established a task force to seek ways to reduce violent crime after homicide totals rebounded from last year's dip.

Mayor Sly James announced Wednesday that the citizen task force will gather information and make recommendations for addressing shooter situations, street crime, illegal weapons, domestic violence, child abuse and other violent situations. Task force members include a former judge, a councilwoman, a pastor, a prosecutor, a superintendent and nonprofit and business leaders.

James said in a news release that he is "disheartened by persistent and senseless violence."

Kansas City already has exceeded the 81 homicides it recorded in 2014 and is on pace to end the year with around 100. Last year's dip came after the launch of an anti-violence effort dubbed the "No Violence Alliance," or NoVA.