Jackson county prosecutor
All of the Downtown Neighborhood Association is within Jackson County.
Democratic Candidates: Stephanie Burton, John Gromowsky, Melesa Johnson
Republican Candidates: Tracey Chappell
John Gromowsky and Tracey Chappell have not provided answers to the questionnaire.
1. A safe neighborhood to live in is essential for all Kansas Citians. As Prosecutor, what changes would you make to help lower crime rates?
Stephanie Burton:
The approach to reducing crime must be multifaceted, involving swift and certain prosecution of violent offenders, diligent prosecution of property crimes, and the rehabilitation of non-violent offenders. The current administration's ineffectiveness stems from allowing cases to languish for years, causing witnesses and victims to become disheartened and disinterested, thereby weakening the prosecution's case. Consequently, victims are left with cases resulting in plea agreements that return violent criminals to the community with little to no retribution. It is imperative that we hold offenders accountable and ensure that violent criminals are removed from the community and serve time for their crimes. Upon their return to the community, I am prepared to support their success with wrap-around services to reduce recidivism, but we must firmly assert that committing a violent crime will result in imprisonment. I will not permit repeated continuances that allow delayed justice for victims.
Additionally, we must restore the relationship between the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office and police departments. I will support our law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to keep us safe. The people of Jackson County have been collateral damage in the custody struggle between the police and the current administration. To be an effective prosecutor, one must have an effective partnership with the police. I will restore that relationship, which will, in turn, garner more community trust in the police and lead to the resolution of more cases. When people trust the actors within the legal system, they are more engaged and more willing to provide information and assist in the prosecution of cases. Moreover, officers will be able to trust that as they continue to perform their duties, I will be doing mine, prosecuting cases efficiently and effectively. No one is above the law, including law enforcement officers. To those officers who choose to violate their oath to serve and protect the community, by committing crimes against citizens, they will be prosecuted and held accountable for their misconduct.
Lastly, for cases that do not involve violence but are more appropriately handled in treatment courts such as those for drug addiction, mental health, and veterans, I plan to utilize these courts, which are currently grossly underutilized. At present, drug crimes without a violent nexus are not being charged, effectively delaying individuals' opportunity to receive treatment and get clean at no cost to them. In some cases, charging these offenses provides the necessary opportunity for treatment at no cost to the individuals. These courts are in place and funded, and we need to utilize them.
Melesa Johnson:
Update evidentiary policies and procedures to ensure more cases are processed and victims have a chance to be represented in the courtroom;
Establish a dedicated prosecution division for property crimes;
Revive the prosecution of drug distribution offenses;
Bring more diversity to the Prosecutor’s office and promote an equitable and inclusive work environment;
Review, assess, and reform COMBAT funding and community partnerships to better address the root causes of crime, including property theft and gun violence.
2. Vehicle thefts and break-ins are some of the top issues affecting downtown residents. What actions would you take to stop this crime?
Stephanie Burton:
I will ensure the prosecution of property crimes, which are currently being neglected. Allowing these crimes to go unchecked leads to a cascade of violent offenses. Take, for instance, car break-ins where firearms are stolen. These cases are not being prosecuted, yet the stolen guns have been used in shootings, murders, and found in the possession of juveniles. Additionally, stolen cars often become vehicles for further criminal activity. The current administration's failure to prosecute these property crimes has significantly contributed to the rise in violence in our county.
Melesa Johnson:
Right now, most property crimes go to the General Crimes Prosecution Division where they fall to the bottom of the totem pole of importance and get lost in the sea of other cases. In 2023, the Prosecutors office only received 600 property damage cases and chose to decline 198 cases for charging. We all know that property crime happens far more frequently, so the next elected Prosecutor needs to be able to creatively expand the office’s capacity to handle more cases. I will take all non-violent property crimes cases out of the General Crimes division and create a separate stand-alone Property Crimes Prosecution Division and turn it into a law student clinic. Under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 13, law students are able to handle cases under the supervision of at least 1 licensed attorney. Under this new Property Crimes Division, the cases will receive the exclusive focus that they deserve, the victims feel heard and advocated for, the offenders are held accountable and deterred from future criminality, and the law students get practical experience to supplement their legal education.
3. Given that a lot of local crime is perpetrated by juveniles, what can be done about it? Is this an opportunity for COMBAT funds (Community Backed Anti-Drug and Anti-Violence Tax) to play a bigger role?
Stephanie Burton:
The reality is that juvenile cases are not handled by the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office unless the juveniles are certified to stand trial as adults. However, this does not preclude proactive measures. Studies indicate that one contributing factor to the school-to-prison pipeline is a lack of literacy, compounded by problems at home. While COMBAT funds numerous programs in schools that focus on substance abuse prevention, we must also prioritize early childhood education to equip our students with the tools for success. Specifically, we need reading specialists in our schools. Grade-level reading proficiency is a crucial predictor of future incarceration, not because individuals without education are inherently more inclined toward crime, but because our society lacks the basic resources to support those without fundamental reading skills. It is therefore critical to diagnose and address this problem at the early childhood level. Intervening in high school is insufficient; we must begin much earlier.
Melesa Johnson:
Juvenile cases are handled by the family which is a separate entity with different leadership. However, the Jackson County Prosecutor can and should critically evaluate whether more juveniles accused of heinous offenses should be certified as an adult. For lower-level offenses, I do plan to better allocate COMBAT resources to meet the needs of young people to include a County wide mentorship program for suspended students. Instead of sending the young people back to the negative ecosystems that are encouraging their negative behavior, we must capitalize on the time of suspension to connect them to resources. I am also a proponent of encouraging more parental responsibility by partnering with truancy court, offering parenting classes with COMBAT funds, and even referring cases to the Department of Children's Services so that they can address parental neglect.
4. What else would you like to share with downtown neighbors?
Stephanie Burton:
I bring a well-rounded perspective of the criminal justice system to the Prosecutor's Office. For the past 14 years, I have served as a criminal trial attorney, representing individuals accused of crimes. Before my legal career, I worked as a probation and parole officer, where my success was measured by how many individuals I helped to build better lives post-incarceration. My legal journey has enabled me to exonerate the wrongfully accused and to establish the first Conviction Integrity Unit in the state of Kansas. I have observed firsthand what works and what does not at the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office.
Given the diversity of these experiences, I understand the crucial importance of connecting non-violent offenders to services, providing mental health and drug rehabilitation treatment where appropriate, and holding violent offenders accountable. Equally important is improving community confidence in the justice system, fostering partnerships to solve crimes, supporting witnesses, and transforming public perception of police departments. I am prepared to implement the necessary changes to restore community trust, deliver justice for victims, and ensure that cases are prosecuted swiftly and fairly.
Melesa Johnson:
People should vote for me because my modern and balanced approach to public safety is not about politics, it is about saving lives. I am not afraid to prosecute. As a current resident of one of the most dangerous sectors of Jackson County who regularly goes to sleep to the sound of gunshots, I do not have an interest in or the luxury to be soft on violent crime. However, I know that exclusively relying on incarceration to restore public safety is irresponsible and ineffective. We must also invest COMBAT funds in affordable housing, expanded diversion programs for non-violent offenders, mentorship programs in out public schools to curb substance misuse and domestic violence among teens, and so much more. I am the only candidate that has consistently stressed the importance of balancing accountability with resource deployment. I also represent a historic and organic opportunity to bring communities of color closer to the criminal legal system which will have a positive impact on our entire community. I am also the only candidate with the requisite leadership and political experience to get things done, budgets approved, coalitions built, and strategies executed.