They shouldn’t have messed with Tripp

This man’s face is familiar to hundreds of Kansas Citians.

He’s a cab driver who used to be homeless, but now runs an organization called Care of Poor People. A couple of times a year, around Thanksgiving and Easter, Richard G. Tripp organizes a huge potluck and clothing giveaway. Radio stations help out, as do churches and other random folks who volunteer and make donations. Sometimes a band plays. To hang out with Tripp that day is to see people have a few hours’ relief from hard lives. Since he started doing these events, organizations in other cities have followed his model.

Now imagine his face all jacked up, swollen with a black eye and concussion.

Over the weekend, Tripp picked up a couple of fares at Harrah’s Casino. He drove them to 30th and Montgall. There, he says, “They tried to kill me.”