A mother’s death in a drive-by shooting and a family left struggling to repair bullet-riddled walls sparked an eight-year quest by Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree to help gun-crime victims with immediate, practical needs.
That quest has finally found funding through a new $687,000 federal grant program that will help victims and witnesses of gun violence with emergency services, from fixing broken windows to covering medical equipment costs.
The program, L.E.T.S. R.A.P.P. (Lessening Effects of Trauma, Strengthening Resources Assistance Prevention and Partnerships), emerged from a 2017 case that deeply affected Dupree.
“It was one of the first cases that I dealt with when I got into office: a drive-by shooting in the inner city,” Dupree said. “The house was riddled with bullets, and the cars in front of it were riddled with bullets, and, sadly, a mother lost her life.”
Within a week, the 19-year-old surviving son came to Dupree’s office, seeking help to repair windows and walls so he could care for his younger siblings. But there was nowhere to turn.
“When I had to tell this young man who was suffering from the loss of his mom and figuring out how to care for his younger siblings that we had nothing for him,” Dupree said. “That bothered me.”
The L.E.T.S. R.A.P.P. program — a partnership of the Wyandotte County DA’s office and AdHoc Group Against Crime — eliminates such gaps through a streamlined process.
Victims of any gun violence incident in Wyandotte County occurring between April 2024 and March 2026 need only make a single phone call to begin receiving help. Cases don’t need to be charged through the DA’s office to qualify.
For immediate needs, help can arrive the same day. Otherwise, within 48-72 hours, a team, including a DA’s victim advocate, investigator, and AdHoc staff, visits to assess the situation. Once they confirm the connection to gun violence, contractors are dispatched to begin repairs or services.
The program covers an extensive range of needs. Beyond fixing damaged property like bullet-riddled walls or broken windows, it can provide crisis case management, housing support, and even emergency relocation. Medical needs are also covered, including equipment, therapy, and hospital co-pays. Even accessibility modifications like wheelchair ramps can be funded.
“The only thing that a gun-crime survivor needs to do to get help is make a phone call,” Dupree says. “That’s it.”
This streamlined approach marks a departure from typical assistance programs. There is no income verification, criminal background check, or lengthy paperwork process.
“I’m not asking you how much money you make. I’m not asking you, ‘do you have a criminal history,’” Dupree says. “Is the window broke? Yes, it’s broke. Did the violence happen? Yes, alright, it’s getting fixed.”
The funding comes through Kansas’ State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP), part of a broader initiative to prevent gun violence and support victims. The state’s SCIP Advisory Board, comprising representatives from law enforcement, courts, behavioral health, and victim services, specifically prioritized programs that could provide immediate, practical assistance to gun violence victims.
According to state data, Wyandotte County had the highest firearm death rate in Kansas from 2018 to 2021, at 30.5 per 100,000 people. The county’s program aligns with SCIP’s focus on enhancing community programs that reduce trauma and connect victims with wraparound services.
The path to funding for the L.E.T.S. R.A.P.P. program wasn’t direct. Between 2017 and 2023, Dupree’s office pursued multiple avenues, approaching city and county commissioners, seeking state support, and applying for various grants. The breakthrough came when his office was selected for the $687,000 federal grant, enabling a partnership with AdHoc Against Crime.
For Dupree, the program represents more than just practical assistance – it’s about building trust between law enforcement and the community they serve.
“Many prosecutors across the country don’t believe that it’s our job to do this [they think] my job is just to lock people up and throw away the key, right?” Dupree said. “Well, I grew up in this community and have seen what crime does to individuals.”
He believes this approach will help build relationships that make the community safer. When victims receive immediate help, they’re more likely to cooperate with law enforcement in the future.
While Dupree acknowledges the two-year program might not meet every need, he sees it as an important first step to demonstrate the community’s requirements and potentially attract more funding.
“For far too long, many victims in our community have not received the assistance, the support, or help that is necessary,” Dupree says. “We’re trying to help fix windows, trying to help fix doors, and help put lives back together. And it affects your neighbor, your cousin, your family, and, prayerfully, not you.”
Funds are already being distributed and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you or someone you know qualifies for assistance, call the AdHoc Group Against Crime for an assessment at 913-308-7555.
