St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones spoke with Gov. elect Mike Kehoe last week following his election on Nov. 5.
The conversation was reportedly casual, but she let him know emphatically that she and the city of St. Louis would continue to protect local control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
As 2024 draws closer to its final month, Jones and Police Chief Robert Tracy have statistical facts on their side that show crime is decreasing in the city.
Earlier today, Mayor Jones and Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe spoke on the phone after Kehoe’s election as Missouri’s next governor. After their call, during a press conference announcing his transition, Kehoe discussed his desire to pursue a state takeover of SLMPD. Mayor Jones issued the following statement in response:
As of Nov. 12, St. Louis has seen 127 homicides. That number is down from 142 as of Nov. 4, 2023, 170 at that time in 2022, 168 at that time in 2021, and 220 at this time in 2020.
In addition, the monthly National Incident Based Reporting System report for October shows meaningful decreases compared to October 2023 across all major crime categories:
- Crimes against a person: -15%
- Crime against property: -31%
- Crime against society: -7%
- All other offenses: -17%
“Every year since I’ve been in office, St. Louis has seen a significant reduction in crime and homicides, and a state takeover threatens that progress,” said. Jones.
“I’ve repeatedly made it very clear that a state takeover does not make cities safer. If a state-controlled police department was the model for law enforcement, then Kansas City would be the safest place on Earth.
Jones explained that Kansas City saw a surge in deaths in homicides in 2023 (the most ever recorded in that city), while St. Louis achieved a 10-year low.
“I’ll continue to work with Chief Tracy, the Office of Violence Prevention, Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, and our community partners to reduce crime in St. Louis and advocate fiercely against state control,” said Jones.
The “downtown is crime ridden” mantra is also dispelled in the monthly report. It showed that downtown saw “an even greater decrease” in October 2024 compared to October 2023 than all neighborhoods in the city.
The statistical category ‘Crimes against a person’ was down 45.3%, and ‘crimes against property’ was down 32.7%.
Not all the news was good, as crimes against society were up 25%, due to an increase in drug and weapons law violations with no specific victim, while all other offenses were up 10%.
“Commanders consistently review crime statistics and monitor new trends to ensure resources are being strategically deployed,” said Tracy.
“From patrol officers to our detectives and civilian employees, everyone plays a key role in our shared goal to put a dent in violent crime.”
Jones praised Tracy, the police department, Gore and community partners “for the fantastic work they are doing to hold criminals accountable and prevent crime before it happens.”
“This is progress, not perfection,” she said.
“But it is encouraging to see these tangible results, which show we are on the right course and making St. Louis safer.”
At what cost? Regular traffic enforcement has almost been abandoned creating more hit and runs, more DUI leading to fatalities. Then if you look at the expired plate issues that degrees taxable income
towards schools and other services (personal property tax) more cars driving without insurance (can’t get insurance for temp tags).
Why not enough officers to facifate both serial crimes and normal police duties.
So I would like the mayor and police chief to respond to rather than boasting about one part of the police mission.
Residents are growing weary of seeing their police force not addressing ALL police responsibilities.
This fine however the perception is quite different. Don’t impress me, impress the folks who don’t travel into downtown St Louis
That is fine however the perception is quite different