SLMPD sees lowest homicide numbers since 2014
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The City of St. Louis ended May with the fewest number of homicides in more than a decade, which pointed to progress from SLMPD in reducing crime in the city.
Police investigated 55 homicides so far this year through the end of May, which is the lowest since 2014.
Chief Robert Tracy said its a combination of community policing, their CompStat methodology, and using technology to their advantage.
“Every time we start to get reductions I call it progress because if you take a look at where we were and where we need to be, we’ve still got a lot to do,” Chief Tracy said.
Homicides through May 31st:
1990: 61
1991: 95
1992: 75
1993: 83
1994: 101
1995: 92
1996: 75
1997: 56
1998: 44
1999: 56
2000: 45
2001: 56
2002: 54
2003: 28
2004: 47
2005: 44
2006: 45
2007: 45
2008: 59
2009: 47
2010: 51
2011: 53
2012: 46
2013: 38
2014: 53
2015: 69
2016: 75
2017: 66
2018: 69
2019: 70
2020: 73
2021: 77
2022: 72
2023: 73
2024: 72
For trauma surgeon and founder of the Bullet Related Injury Clinic Dr. LJ Punch said the drop in crime is due to community, civic and police efforts.
“There’s been an intense decision to invest in community based efforts,” Dr. Punch said.
Although it is a step in the right direction, there is still more to be done.
“The numbers about how many people die do not reflect how many people are impacted,” Dr. Punch said.
After the devastating tornado on May 16 Dr. Punch does have concerns for crime in the future.
“The tornado carved a path through St. Louis that is just like the path of a bullet going through someone’s tissue. Its jagged. Its explosive. It destroyed structures. It created harm and it created trauma,” Dr. Punch said.
Dr. Punch is concerned we could see a rise in overdoses, suicides and homicides because of the trauma from the storm.
With there being so much need in the community following the storm, Dr. Punch has been out in Fountain Park every day doing community outreach.
“This is where people can start pointing the finger, getting angry, irritated at home, irritated on the streets, irritated at work because of all the loss and the energy that’s negative around them,” Dr. Punch said. “It’s important to be aware its not your fault but together we can heal.”
Chief Tracy said his focus remains on keeping the community safe.
Officers are still working 12 hour shifts and staying involved in the community.
“To try to restore some sense of stability into their lives after such a horrific incident and natural disaster. We’re in this together,” Chief Tracy said.
Police continue to enforce the curfew and have been arresting people who come in trying to steal from storm victims.
“It builds trust throughout the community and especially in an area like this that has been ravaged by a tornado,” Chief Tracy said.
With the crime concerns following the storm, Chief Tracy said SLMPD will continue to track the data in neighborhoods to try to prevent people from using guns to solve problems during this traumatic time. Police are also tracking if the need for crisis response units is going up, looking to be preventative in their policing.
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