KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The woman who will take over the role of Jackson County Prosecutor once Jean Peters Baker's term expires in two months has ambitious goals. Prosecutor-Elect Melesa Johnson (D) wants to try a different approach when it comes to addressing violent crime, particularly in Kansas City. "I know that crime is completely out of control right now and the levels we're experiencing are absolutely unsustainable," she told FOX4 after her victory on Election Day. "The concentration of crime in certain neighborhoods didn’t happen overnight." The latest data from Kansas City Police shows there's been 127 homicides so far in 2024, down from an all-time high of 158 homicides in 2023. Woman finds engraved wedding band inside Kansas City thrift store Data also reveals that out of this year's homicides, 14 of the victims are juveniles along with 14 of the suspects. Johnson will inherit that problem once she takes over in 2025, something she explained isn't a problem but an opportunity. "What I mean by that is we have a real shot at changing the story and turning the page. When I hear those statistics, I’m heartbroken; 14, 15, and 16-year-olds not only being victimized by homicide, but feeling the need to offend and commit them in the first place," she said. "Something I’ve said since I started this campaign is that we’re going to handle business inside of the courtroom, but we have a lot of work to do outside of the courtroom as well.” What does she mean by that? Johnson explained plans for a countywide mentorship program using COMBAT funds, or the Community Backed Anti-Crime Tax, which is a countywide 0.25% sales tax that generates $30 million annually. That money is then divided between Kansas City Police (9.5%), Prosecutor's Office (9.5%), Drug Court (6%), Grant Match (10%), Circuit Court (12%), Corrections (15%), Treatment (15%), Prevention (7.5%), and D.A.R.E. (6.5%). "We need to invest those funds into affordable housing [and] mental health resources," Johnson added. "I even want to start a county-wide mentorship program for suspended students so they're not out stealing cars when they're supposed to be learning the wrongfulness of their conduct." In addition to that, the prosecutor-elect wants to create a new property crimes prosecution division to address the issues plaguing businesses throughout Kansas City's neighborhoods. She said it will be staffed with a handful of attorneys and law students. "I want to help a lot of people as well. I want those deserving of second chances to have adequate access to them," Johnson said. "I want individuals [who are] even contemplating a life of crime to understand that there’s a different path, and I want to be the bridge and beacon of hope that delivers that path at their feet." Litigation surrounding abortion rights in Missouri underway Mayor Quinton Lucas, who endorsed Johnson, believes she can do that, saying in part in a written statement, "During her time in my office, Prosecutor-Elect Johnson managed violence interruption strategies that saved lives and brought peace to long-challenged Kansas City neighborhoods. She is well suited to bring together our police, communities, businesses, and all of us in building a safer Kansas City." Her final proposals include modernizing the county's approach when handling criminal cases to enhance cellphone analytics software, something she noted has been successful in Las Vegas' Police Department. Johnson also stated plans to resume charging drug distribution cases across the board whether there's a nexus to violence or not, something Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker is not currently doing. Johnson will take over the office in early 2025 once Peters Baker term ends on January 3.