Spectrum News: St. Louis murders drop 21% for 2023; police chief says there's 'much work to be done'
Spectrum News Staff | St. Louis
ST. LOUIS—Murders were down 21% in St. Louis for 2023, according to city officials. It is a statistic Mayor Tishaura Jones and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Tracy say are among “significant improvements” made in public safety last year.
“Over the course of the past year, I have been proud to work alongside some of the most dedicated and passionate law enforcement professionals around, and the sharp reductions in serious crime categories are a reflection of their relentless efforts to make our city safer.” said Chief Tracy in a statement.
Here is a breakdown of the data:
21% reduction in murders (158 in 2023 compared to 200 in 2022)
24% reduction in shooting incidents (550 in 2023 compared to 722 in 2022)
23% reduction in shooting victims (631 in 2023 compared to 821 in 2022)
50% decrease in juvenile shooting victims
39% reduction in felony theft
19% decrease in auto theft
12% decrease in burglaries
11% reduction in robbery incidents
6% reduction in aggravated assaults
The declines came during Chief Tracy’s first year on the job. Mayor Tishura Jones commended his work.
“Chief Tracy has delivered effective crime reduction strategies that keep our communities safer,” said Jones in a statement. “By addressing violent crime head on and partnering with community organizations to provide additional services, we are putting St. Louis on the right track.”
Greater St. Louis, Inc., a collection of business and civic leaders, is applauding the progress.
“Addressing violent crime is critical to restoring economic growth and prosperity for all and to meeting the objectives of the STL 2030 Jobs Plan,” said Jason Hall, CEO of Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Earlier this year, the business community called out the metro’s homicide crisis and the need for a regional strategy. A policy paper released in May detailed how violent crime is a “barrier to growth” in the region.
Since then, area political leaders, police chiefs and others have met to begin laying the groundwork for a plan that they say will lead to at least a 10% reduction in homicides and shootings annually.
“There is still much work to done, but the data released today is a great sign of improvement and more proof of the resurgence of the St. Louis metro,” said Hall.
Chief Tracy agreed, “while these numbers provide us an opportunity to celebrate some progress, there remains much work to be done – and a great deal of progress to make as we enter another year.”
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