Downtown residents express frustration over crime on holiday weekends

ST. LOUIS – Monday night was an opportunity for residents to make their voices heard after a chaotic weekend in downtown St. Louis. Some say they don’t feel safe downtown, especially after some of the events that unfolded following the Fourth of July celebrations near the Arch Grounds.

Community members gathered at the Central Library downtown to make their voices heard at the Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting. Angry residents described the scenes downtown overnight over the holiday weekend as a “war zone.”

“I just feel so unsafe right now,” said one woman.

“This is the second year in a row that we have had situations like this,” another man added.

James Page, the association’s executive director, said he was also concerned about the amount of crime he had observed over the weekend.

“The use of illegal fireworks and the mass shootings that have occurred – that is something that concerns me and other residents of downtown St. Louis,” Page said.

Police Chief Robert Tracy fielded many questions from residents and media. He said he understood residents’ frustration, but noted that the Celebrate St. Louis parade and fireworks went off safely. He added that it was only after the events concluded that a few bad actors cast a dark shadow over the weekend.

“It was a small number of all those involved, but it was big enough to cause the things we’re talking about today,” Tracy said. “We’re going to adapt. We’re going to debrief, like we do with every event. And we’re going to make sure it doesn’t happen again next year.”

The Police Department said 19 juveniles were arrested downtown over the weekend. Officers also seized 21 firearms downtown and several stolen firearms throughout the city. They also responded to 472 calls related to fireworks throughout the city of St. Louis.

Police Chief Tracy pointed out that overall crime in St. Louis is declining. When asked if the department has enough resources, Tracy said they are working with what they have and will be adding more officers to the force soon.

City Councilwoman and mayoral candidate Cara Spencer also spoke to residents at the end of the meeting. Spencer said she understood why neighbors were upset.

“I think the first step to solving these problems is recognizing that we have a problem,” Spencer said.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association’s next town hall meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 9.