Worried someone you know might be having suicidal thoughts? Ask them—with compassion. Avoid hinting around. Create a safe place to ask, “Are you thinking about taking your own life?” And be prepared to follow up if the response is “yes,” “no” or unclear. More
Tips are essential to solving crimes. The information you provide by all calling Crime Stoppers or the AdHoc Group Against Crime tip lines—or using their online options—could also save lives. You can remain completely anonymous. More
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced the County Legislature has confirmed COMBAT’s new Executive Director. After an intensive and thorough interview process, Murray Woodard has been chosen to lead COMBAT. He begins his new role in September.... More
Our 2024 COMBAT Community Impact Report focuses on the STRiVIN’ Referral program, which reached 3,808 submissions in early 2025. The report identifies areas of need in the community but also introduces you to three people whose lives have been impacted. More
This COMBAT-funded initiative connects individuals and families with social services to assist them with a whole host issues. The objective is to address these issues before the circumstances in these people's lives worsen to point violence might occur. More
COMBAT supports 11 law Enforcement School-Based Initiatives, serving nearly every community in Jackson County. These programs connect police officers and sheriff deputies with more than 20,000 students a year, with programming that goes beyond DARE. More
Whether you are using marijuana recreationally or for a medical purpose, driving high is a crime. Keep it legal. Be safe. Driving under the influence—alcohol, marijuana or some other drug—is illegal and always entails potentially fatal risks. More
COMBAT made all the difference. "COMBAT didn’t just save my life; it gave me a chance to change my life for the better. I am grateful for that, so I’m going to keep on working on being a better person, helping others and staying on the right path. More
Between 2018 and 2022, only seven other U.S. counties with a population of 250,000 or more had a higher firearm homicide rate than Jackson County's 22.4 per 100,000 people. Our county's rate was more than four times higher than the national 5.4 rate. > MORE
Missouri had among the 10 highest rates in the U.S. in these three categories (2018-22): firearm homicides, firearm suicides and all firearm fatalities. New York state had three times the population of our state but nearly 2,100 fewer firearm homicides. > MORE
Of the world’s 25 "wealthiest" nations, America had the worst firearm homicide rate in 2021. And it wasn’t even close. The U.S. averaged 57 firearm homicides a day in 2021, the exact same number the United Kingdom would experience over a two-yea... > MORE
An assassin, using a homemade gun, murdered Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. In a nation where people "take peace for granted" and the firearm homicide rate is near world-low 0.005 per 100,000 such a crime is "culturally un... > MORE
