Downtown Kansas City Business Owners Clash With Mayor Over Text Message Dispute

Kansas City, Missouri — The day following this event, FOX4 brought attention to growing security worries expressed by downtown business proprietors. — concerns they claim have remained unaddressed — Mayor Quinton Lucas is responding forcefully.

Bradley Gilmore, the chef and proprietor of Lula’s Southern Cookhouse, voiced his concerns alongside other prominent business figures regarding issues with crime, law enforcement, and what they perceived as inadequate action taken by the city.

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The posts from last night and early this morning have attracted significant attention," Gilmore said to FOX4. "I've been receiving messages from clients, suppliers, and even people I don’t know. As you can see in the comments section, the situation described is consistent whether it was at City Market or Waldo.

People currently do not feel safe within their own city.

Although these problems aren't recent, Gilmore and others claim that the city's lack of communication is what's truly new.

The next day following the airing of FOX4’s first report, Lucas went to the comments section of FOX4’s Facebook page to challenge their reporting. .

The mayor refuted getting a text message from Gilmore, even though Gilmore presented evidence of the message being marked as read.

It has been quite annoying these last few weeks," Gilmore commented. "Over this most recent weekend, the all-terrain vehicles were back again. I messaged the mayor—as he requested.

Gilmore not only delivered the message but also sent it to the right number, which is the same one Lucas has made public. Both FOX4 and theMayor have confirmed that this phone number is accurate.

Nevertheless, the mayor insists that he never got the message.

Recently, a Kansas City business was robbed, and they discovered their stolen goods listed on Facebook Marketplace.

When Lucas messaged Gilmore during his visit to FOX4 studios on Tuesday afternoon, Gilmore responded immediately.

Despite the constant revisions to the text, business proprietors express that their primary worry is being overlooked regarding issues of crime and public safety.

"We've had both employees and customers robbed right out in the open during daytime," Gilmore stated. "This issue dates back to A local chef getting shot Each day, we find shattered glass due to car burglaries. As for the recent parking rules? They're utterly chaotic."

During his appearance at the FOX4 studios, Lucas failed to discuss public safety issues. He turned down a comprehensive interview, mentioning he was committed to another prior engagement.

If our discussion is going to focus more on public safety, then I have Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson scheduled for 4 p.m., and I intend to make sure I arrive on time and clear security without issues. As previously stated, I did not receive any messages; apparently, someone checked my phone. Please bring their device over here as well as mine since both of us should present ours—considering your role as a journalist and me being an attorney—and let’s contact AT&T so we can sort this matter out.

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One silver lining from this situation is that Lucas and Bradley Gilmore are now directly linked through text messaging.

FOX4 will keep updating as more details unfold.

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