The meeting came hours after Krewson addressed public concerns over an anticipated verdict in the murder case against former city police officer Jason Stokley.

Much of the public comments Tuesday were about crime in general and policing practices that the speakers said they believe disproportionately affect specific communities, especially those in north city.

People spoke over Krewson at times when she attempted to answer a question.

“It has to be about prevention and enforcement,” Krewson said at one point. “It has to be about jobs. It has to be about all those things.”

For Mayo, a Walnut Park resident who volunteers in his community, the mayor's answers on crime were evasive. He said Krewson offered to discuss his concerns after the meeting.

Others in the audience emphatically asked the mayor to answer their questions on the city's school board, blight, park restoration, tax incentives for businesses, waste management and housing for the homeless.

The town hall meeting was the first of five Krewson has planned. The next is at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Schlafly branch of the St. Louis Public Library, 225 North Euclid Avenue.

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