We agree
strongly with Tony Thompson, the St. Louis American Foundation’s
2011 Stellar Performer in Education, that there is no higher
priority for this country, and especially for the African-American
community, than getting public education back on track. In the city
of St. Louis, a very close second priority would be getting public
safety back on track. With this in mind, we commend Alderman
Antonio D. French for the leadership he has shown in dedicating
$400,000 in capital improvement funds (disbursed by the city’s
Board of Public Service) to install 14 security cameras along some
of the most dangerous streets in his 21st
Ward.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Last year, there were 14 murders in our ward and three or four dozen shootings,” French told The American. “Why not bring the same technology that is currently being used in safe areas, like Busch Stadium or shopping malls, and bring it to the  areas that really need it?”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>French led a press conference about his security camera program on Tuesday, standing alongside Police Chief Daniel Isom and Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce. But when we spoke with him several weeks ago, he already was seeing improved public safety on his North City streets.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“The presence of the cameras changes behavior,” French said. “Already, we have seen crime die down where the cameras are up. The biggest, most frustrating problem for the police and prosecutors is that when crime occurs – even violent crime, in broad daylight, with people around – no one wants to be a witness. So these crimes are never prosecuted, and that’s why criminals get off. So let’s let the cameras be the witness, and maybe we will be able to put the people away who do bad things.” For there is a growing number of young people – most unemployed, and many unemployable – who are living in a dangerous underground economy, outside any societal norms, expectations or obligations.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>French, who is emerging as an important leader in his community, has been inspired by Newark’s gutsy young Mayor Cory Booker and Geoffrey Canada, mastermind of the Harlem Children’s Zone. The comparison to Booker makes it clear why cities like Newark and St. Louis need to nurture specifically African-American male public officials, who are willing to live in our most embattled neighborhoods and embrace constituents as their people, as opposed to those people. And like Canada, French knows that a program like this may mostly move crime elsewhere, rather than stop it altogether, but even that would be a victory for North St. Louis.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The Post-Dispatch, giving a black alderman a rare piece of positive press, reported on French’s program. This report quotes “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;” lang=”EN” xml:lang=”EN”>Terrell Johnson, a 17-year-old who works across the street from the new police substation where the cameras are monitored. “People don’t like to be watched on camera,” the youth told the Post. “They are not going to be hanging around outside now.” Exactly. Geoffrey Canada found that getting drug dealers off the street corner was a major step toward improving public safety in Harlem. We expect that Alderman French will find the same to be true of his beloved 21st Ward. We applaud his efforts and encourage other public officials to emulate them.
