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Explore St. Louis

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Greg Severin

Lents & Associates

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The Truth About Crime in St. Louis With Crime Down, New Collaborative Video Debunks Misleading Rankings ST. LOUIS– Thanks to increased joint efforts by local law enforcement and “hot spot” policing, crime in St. Louis City continues to decrease and has actually dropped by 46 percent since 2006 according to the St. Louis Metro Police Department.That’s one of the main messages of “The Truth About Crime in St. Louis,” a new video released by four regional civic organizations which also calls out misleading crime rankings. The annual rankings usually place St. Louis among the most dangerous cities in the country. “St. Louis is a safe and secure community and this video sets the record straight,” said Kim Tucci, Chairman of the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation. “We encourage all St. Louisans to watch this video then take it viral so everyone can learn the truth.” Delivered in documentary style, the five-minute video features local residents from all walks of life who discuss their experiences and perceptions of safety living in the urban core. The video was produced by the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation in partnership with Explore St. Louis, the St. Louis Regional Chamber, and the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis. Upbeat and interspersed with visuals of St. Louis, the piece includes interviews with

St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson, St. Louis County Police Department Chief Tim Fitch, business leaders and other community stakeholders. In the video, leading national criminologist Dr. Richard Rosenfeld (University of Missouri-St. Louis) provides his insights on why these faulty crime rankings are unfair and wrong. States Rosenfeld in the video: “It is an unfair and wholly inaccurate portrait of crime in my community.”

He later adds: “I think the single most important headline is that crime is heading down in St. Louis and has been going down for several years in a variety of categories – property crime as well as violent crime.”

Supporting Rosenfeld’s observations is a comparison of St. Louis with several other US cities. The graphics point out that if population and crime statistics in St. Louis city and county were combined, as they are in most metropolitan areas, St. Louis would fare much better in these national rankings.

Joe Reagan, President & CEO of the St. Louis Regional Chamber, called “The Truth About Crime in St. Louis” authentic.

“It’s not a puff piece but an accurate portrayal about what’s really going on,” Reagan said. “What this video will do is reassure businesses and companies interested in relocating here that our city is a safe and welcoming place.”

Zack Boyers, Chair of the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis, said the video speaks to the quality of life local residents enjoy but few from outside city boundaries really understand or know exists.

“For us to grow our downtown core by attracting new residents, developers and retailers, we need to overcome these crime misconceptions,” said Boyers. “This video brings clarity and light to an important issue.”

“The Truth About Crime in St. Louis” was released by the four civic organizations through various social media platforms on Tuesday, November 12. Learn “The Truth.”

For more information, please visit Frequently Asked Questions About Safety in St. Louis.

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