The ACLU of Kansas will host an Aug. 15th community event to kick off its effort to bring a municipal identification card program to Wyandotte County.
The event, which will feature speakers, food, music, and opportunities to get involved, will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at El Centro headquarters, 650 Minnesota Ave.
A Municipal ID card is a form of photo identification issued by a city or county government and can be used to prove a person’s identity within the city/county limits or to access services from any institution agreeing to accept the card.
The entire community would benefit.
These cards would serve the elderly, the homeless, and reentering citizens. Identification access helps ensure the dignity and well-being of a community because it’s often the gateway to healthcare, opening a checking account, or purchasing a car.
People who’ve lost vital documents in house fires, seniors without drivers’ licenses and the homeless also would have access to identification through this measure.
It could also help immigrants. Wyandotte County is the only county in the Kansas City region with a higher proportion of immigrants than the United States.
Police departments from small-town Iowa to New York City support municipal identification. With more people able to cooperate with police without fear, police can do a better job of keeping communities safe. Proponents also have noted that municipal IDs can help domestic violence survivors.
Little Rock recently adopted a municipal ID measure and Philadelphia will begin issuing them in January.
When all of our neighbors have access to identification, the community benefits economically. The streets will be safer, people will be healthier and greater trust will grow between law enforcement and community members. Our community will be more connected.
A municipal identification card offers a common-sense path to a common good.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Alex Martinez, at: [email protected] or at: (913) 490-4110