By St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay
March 1, 2004

When I took the job of mayor of St. Louis in 2001, I said that for St. Louis to be the great city it can be, we needed to improve education and reduce crime. I strongly believe that everyone, no matter their income level, has the right to a decent education and a safe neighborhood. I also believe that improving education and public safety will make our neighborhoods stronger and more livable.

We are making progress with the schools. And as for crime, I-m happy to say that St. Louis is a much safer city today than it was just two years ago.

Here are the statistics, illustrated in the chart at right.

This dramatic and exciting reduction in crime is due to a number of factors. Despite our city's budget challenges, we added 100 police officers to the force. The department is using modern technology and innovative techniques to prevent crime. Police Chief Joe Mokwa has directed his officers to focus their energy on preventing serious crime. And we are not tolerating minor crime, which sends a message that someone is in charge.

Also, there is unprecedented cooperation among local and federal law enforcement officers, including the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office, headed by Jennifer Joyce, and the U.S. Attorney's Office, headed by Ray Gruender.

But the numbers do not tell the whole story. Block by block, we are taking our neighborhoods back, attracting new investment in places that have not seen new development in decades. Property values — a good barometer of a neighborhood's health — are rising faster than they have in a very long time.

2004 brings a lot of challenges for St. Louis, and I have outlined six goals on which my administration will focus in the coming year.

1. Strengthen neighborhoods using a block-by-block training program in conjunction with the Neighborhood Stabilization Office, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Federation of Block Units, the Police Department and the Circuit Attorney's office.

2. Target specific crimes, such as auto theft with aggressive police work coupled with neighborhood based prevention training.

3. Aggressive enforcement of nuisance laws coupled with an increase in City monitoring of Nuisance properties.

4. Increased coordination of efforts by the Neighborhood Stabilization Office, the Federation of Block Units, the Building Division, Forestry, the Streets Department and the Police Department to target specific areas that have a high volume of nuisance calls.

5. Strengthen the coordination between the Courts, Probation and Parole programs, the city and neighborhoods to make sure that everyone is coordinating efforts that not only address the safety of neighborhood residents but help people get back on the right track in their lives.

6. Increase the use of technology to stop illegal dumping, auto theft and dangerous driving in our neighborhoods.

These efforts, along with the partnership with neighborhood residents, will help to insure a great 2004 for the city of St. Louis.