With SLMPD reporting an 18% decrease in crime, safety ambassadors will help patrol the downtown area

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – The St. Louis Metropolitan Police (SLMPD) reported an 18% decrease in crime in a quarterly update on Tuesday.

“We are seeing a decrease in crime,” said SLMPD Chief Robert Tracy. “We are seeing a slight increase in the number of shootings and we are monitoring that trend closely.”

Although murders have decreased, shootings increased by 7% in 2024.

“The number of shootings is down 15 percent compared to the same time two years ago,” he said.

READ: Public safety ambassadors join police to patrol downtown St. Louis

The chief adds that implementing an ordinance restricting open carry of weapons to minors has also made the city safer and reduced youth shootings by 14%.

“Children can’t walk around our city with open arms,” said Chief Tracy. “If we take them to the juvenile detention center, we will actually hold them and wait for the parents. We will not release them onto the streets.”

“The safety of everyone who lives, works or visits St. Louis is my top priority,” said Mayor Tishaura Jones.

Those looking to protect downtown investments have launched a $5 million safety ambassador program through Greater St. Louis Inc.

“This is another piece of the pie that makes people want to be downtown more often,” said Chief Downtown Officer Kurt Weigel. “A public safety network downtown, with our ambassadors being a really big part of that.”

At least 16 Safety Ambassadors will assist St. Louis Police officers Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Uniformed security will be unarmed and will be on site 365 days a year.

“The ambassadors were trained to be authoritarian but respectful and then to de-escalate and call the police in situations where things get too much,” says Weigel.

Anyone needing assistance from the Downtown Public Safety Ambassadors should call 314-978-2233.

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