KC COMMUNITY MUST SHOW RESOLVE TO STOP KILLINGS

A count of 50 homicides in Kansas City so far this year is bad enough. But
it is the faces of the victims that make the situation so intolerable.

Dominique Henderson was 12 years old when he was shot to death this week in
his back yard. He had just completed the sixth grade and was looking
forward to summer school. He still had big dreams. In his pre-adolescent
fantasies, Dominique was a Golden Gloves boxer.

He is not the only young face in Kansas City's lineup of 2005 homicide
victims. Cortez White, 14, was shot to death on Mother's Day. Chuck
Simpson, 15, was murdered after he got off the bus and started to walk home.

Seven of Kansas City's murder victims this year were younger than 16. An
additional 14 victims were between the ages of 17 and 24.

Gunfire from a moving car struck Dominique on Wednesday evening. No one was
in custody Friday.

Kansas City is seeing an increase in drive-by shootings, gang violence and
drug-related killings. The homicide toll is higher by 16 deaths this year
than it was at this time in 2004.

Police and federal law enforcement agencies have announced an effort to
reduce murders by breaking up drug rings and imprisoning dealers.

But law enforcement alone won't solve the problem. Community organizations,
schools and churches must step in with programs to keep youths off the
streets and provide support for concerned parents.

Families must understand that tolerating any form of criminal activity in
the household puts everyone at risk.

It takes resolve at many levels to get a handle on violent crime. But the
latest face of tragedy, 12-year-old Dominique Henderson, cries out for
everyone to do more.