ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Government leaders are pursuing a regional approach to bring violent crime rates down but have hit a wall with St. Charles County government.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and County Executive Sam Page have introduced the Regional Anti-Violence Collaborative, which is aiming to reduce violent crime, grow the economy, stabilize neighborhoods, and give residents access to more safe and affordable homes.
Community groups, law enforcement and others met in December to put together a proposal that would be voted on by area government leaders.
“Reducing crime is something that everyone supports, and we must work together to make a real difference,” Doug Moore, spokesperson for Sam Page, said.
However, Steve Ehlmann, St. Charles County executive, says there’s not enough in the proposal regarding hiring police. He said there is too much emphasis on social workers, social outreach, and crime prevention and intervention.
“I’m not going to support it unless we can amend it,” Ehlmann said. “I’ve got some amendments, which I think will refocus this not just on the social workers but on the fact that we don’t have enough police on the street.”
Another issue Ehlmann has with the proposal is that it mentions that the advisory board will be made up of the mayor of St. Louis and its county executive, or Jones and Page.
“Why do I need to be there then? If they’re going to take it over and run with it, they could’ve done it from the beginning,” he said. “It’s a little bit like putting the patient in charge of finding a cure.”
Ehlmann now worries that instead of de-funding the police, they’re talking about distracting the police.
Nick Dunne, spokesperson for Mayor Jones, said Jones and Page’s leadership is important to bringing down violent crime, adding that they are focusing on resources to save lives.
“However, crime does not stop at our borders and neither should the spirit of the collaboration,” Dunne said in an email. “If County Executive Ehlmann wants to participate with the rest of the region, as he did at the practicum, he has a seat at the table.”
The anti-violence proposal will be voted on Wednesday.
