Stop the Six: Parent Leader Advocates for Funds to go to the Community

Parent leader Danielle Holcomb, and other members with Decarcerate KC, shared their testimonies during a KCMO public meeting on March 4, 2023, in opposition to a $6 million toward KC jail designs. The City of Kansas City, Mo has since voted against putting the $6 million toward a new jail; however, the money was still allotted to the KCPD budget.

“Good evening my name is Danielle Holcomb, I am a KC Resident in the 5th District. I am here today to ask y’all to think on what’s best for our communities and the people of KC and remove the $6 million for new jail design from the KCPD budget.

Think how much better our communities would be if the city would invest that money into housing. As a single mother who was homeless last year and living in a different Airbnb each week for three months with two teenagers and two years before that, in a hotel for 3 months — I personally know the impact of the lack of affordable housing and how much $6 million could help put a dent in this crisis.

The money could also be spent on amnesty programs like Project GreenLight (Big thank you to my councilwoman Rayna for supporting). Think how many more people we could help drive legally with $6 million. Or at-risk youth programs like Block 37 an after-school paid internship that helps my son and 74 other at-risk teens stay off the street after school and be mentored through the support of Jackson County Combat taxes. Think how many more at-risk youth we could provide a positive outcome in life with $6 million.

Think about the slippery slope it causes to our residents when they’re incarcerated. Loss of income, jobs, and homes. Leading to more issues in our communities. Most will be jailed simply just because they couldn’t afford to pay their city violation. Poverty should not be a crime.

I ask you to think and put the money toward programs to better our communities, help our residents, and improve the future of our children and Invest in the people and remove the $6 million from the KCPD budget.”