Police Chief Dan Isom touted his vision for the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department at the Central West End public security forum Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Schlafly Library.
Isom, who was promoted to the chief’s position in October 2008 after the resignation of Chief Joe Mokwa, outlined his strategy to decentralize the police force, moving officers from downtown back to the districts.
“We hope that returning these resources to the captain will continue to lower crime in your neighborhood,” Isom said, pointing to 9th District Capt. Michael Caruso. “We want the primary focus to be the community.” The Central West End falls under the jurisdiction of Caruso and 7th District Capt. Sam Dotson.
In addition, the department is in the process of adding 100 new officers to the force, paid for through a special tax passed by city voters last year. The new recruits will raise the number of city police officers to 1,400.
According to the police chief, crime dropped 16 percent in 2007 and 9 percent in 2008 citywide. Crime rates have also dropped in the Central West End.
The police chief stressed a multi-tiered approach to crime fighting, including officers on the street, education, technology and changes to the physical environment to discourage criminals.
Initiatives include a “flex squad” of officers who can focus on specific crime issues within a district – such as burglary, larceny or auto theft. In addition, an anti-crime unit of 15 to 20 undercover detectives look for crime patterns and hone in on hot spots throughout the city. Isom credited the unit with helping to a sharp reduction in auto theft.
Isom also stressed the partnership between police and residents in the community. “We cannot do this simply by ourselves,” he said. “You all are the eyes and the ears of the neighborhood.”
The police department places a high priority on keeping the Central West End safe, Isom said, noting that the neighborhood has served as “an anchor for our community for many years. It is important to the stability of St. Louis that we have a viable Central West End.”
Isom was introduced by James Partee, director of the Central West End Neighborhood Security Initiative, a joint effort funded by the six CWE Special Business Districts and Washington University Medical Center. Partee ticked off the accomplishments of the NSI since his hiring in October 2008, including researching crime patterns, establishing relationships with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police, coordinating security patrols, community outreach and creating a committee to look into video surveillance.
Tricia Roland-Hamilton, president of the Central West End Association, recognized Henry Edmonds for his years serving as chair of the CWE Security Committee. Edmonds, who will continue to represent the CWE North Special Business District on the NSI Committee, recently stepped down as chair, succeeded by Brooks Goedeker of Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corp.
Jim Dwyer of the Central West End North Special Business District reminded meeting attendees about upcoming votes to renew the CWE North, Cathedral Square and CWE Southeast SBDs.
St. Louis Metropolitan Police website
Central West End Neighborhood Security Initiative