A town hall meeting on public safety drew almost 200 community members who gathered to engage with St. Louis leaders who provided updates and heard concerned citizens as expressed their opinions.
Moderated by 10th Ward Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard, Board of Alderman President Megan Green, Chief Robert Tracy of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, trauma specialist Dr. LJ Punch, Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, Public Safety Vice President James Clark of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and Public Safety Director Charles Coyle shared information and spoke with citizens.
“Public safety is a shared responsibility in our city,” said Green, who shared the city’s plans to increase safety in the city of St. Louis. Included are:
-
Creating local policies to address the concerns of community members
-
Collaborating with city departments and local organizations
-
Funding prevention and intervention programs
-
Passing laws that regulate instances that compromise public safety
Green said programs like traffic enforcement, the safety net for tenants facing eviction, and a new office for violence prevention are part of an overall strategy to help alleviate root causes of crime.
“These programs will help interrupt the circumstances that lead to crime before they occur,” said Green.
Chief Tracy noted that major felony crimes have decreased, and there has a 22% reduction in homicides.
“There is progress,” he said.
He said he plans to collaborate with legislators, non-profits, and civic leaders, as well as build trust within the community. He shared that there is a 47% reduction in juveniles being shot in St. Louis city, as well.
Gore noted the achievements in his office during the seven months since his appointment to replace Kim Gardner.
-
His office hired 25 attorneys and 19 support staff.
-
It is collaborating with the police department.
-
It is backlogging 250 homicides that are pending, and 6,700 applications of warrants, of which 9 were homicides that were not reviewed, and charges were not made.
Gore said the CAO is also launching a diversion program.
High-risk neighborhoods including Hyde Park, Jeff Vander Lou, Kingsway, and Baden are a part of Clark’s plan to help reduce crime, which includes providing communities with urban specialists commonly known as social workers.
“We want to know the social services needs of everyone who lives in the homes located in these neighborhoods,” said Clark.
The Urban League is increasing safety efforts by adding motion lights and Ring Doorbell cameras in high-crime areas.
Doyle said his office has made strides in filling 50 vacant 911 dispatcher positions. There are now 12 police dispatchers and four EMS dispatchers, and he said the Office of Violence Prevention has saved over 2,000 man-hours through the Cops and Clinicians Program.
The program utilizes behavioral health specialists who respond to behavioral health crises instead of police officers. “Now we are treating people with mental illness the way they should be treated,” said Doyle.
“We have gotten a lot of things done, but this is still a work in progress”
In a statement released from Mayor Jones’ office on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 “ I am encouraged by our continued progress to make St. Louis safer,” said Jones.
“But now is not the time to celebrate. One life lost to gun violence is one too many, and in 2024 we will continue to stick to our principles and build on our strengths to make St. Louis safer for all residents.”
Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.
