KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – After city leaders called for change in a violent area, business owners agreed to make changes.

The Owners of the BP Gas Station and Big D’s Liquor store have agreed to reduce their hours, get security, increase lighting, and enhance signage, according to city officials.

This comes after Monday, when Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson and Mayor Quinton Lucas spoke passionately about the recent crime and homicides in the area.

Johnson and Lucas promised to hold businesses accountable that allow loitering and crime on their property.

After city leaders called for change in a violent area, business owners have agreed to make changes. (KCTV5/Grace Smith)

Then, on Tuesday, multiple different agencies within the Kansas City Public Safety Task Force went door to door, following up with businesses at the intersection.

“I think it sends a strong message to those business owners that you’re under watch,” said Lane Cline, Director of Public Safety.

Cline said they gave each business owner recommendations on how they think the area can become safer. That included reduced hours, security through the night, increased lighting, and signage.

“It was made very clear that hey, there’s a lot of crime that’s occurring on your property, or that has a nexus to your property, we’re not going to tolerate this as a community,” Cline said.

Cline said the business owners were given until the end of Wednesday to agree to their recommendations, which they did.

Mayor Quinton Lucas said these changes are a big step forward.

“I’m heartened that we were there on Monday morning, and by Thursday morning, you’re having a discussion about real change,” said Lucas.

While Lucas is thrilled with the changes, the work is far from over.

After city leaders called for change in a violent area, business owners have agreed to make changes. (KCTV5/Grace Smith)

“The way the original problem is created wasn’t one thing. It was a lot of things altogether that added up to create the concern,” Lucas said. “What we are trying to do is unwind all of that, and that’s why you’re seeing progress.”

Letitia Rogers lives on the streets in the area; she’s seen the violence plague the area for decades, only getting worse.

“It’s a lot of brokenness out here,” Rogers said. “I am valuable; everybody has a story to tell; it doesn’t seem like they are doing too much to change it. I hope things get better; I pray things get better.”

Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.