STL Local Control Crumbles Amid SAME Staffing Crisis As KCPD

Facts of regional life . . .

LOCAL CONTROL HAS PROVEN DISASTROUS FOR STL AND THE EFFORT SEEMS POISED TO FALL!!!

 But here's what's more important for TKC readers . . . 

CHECK STL POLICE LOCAL CONTROL NUMBERS: THEY'RE REMARKABLY SIMILAR TO KANSAS CITY PROPER!!!

To start the conversation . . . A look at the current STL power move . . .

"Missouri House of Representatives passed a that would place control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under a state-appointed board.

"House members voted 109-36 to approve the measure. It now goes to the Senate. "

Accordingly . . . Here's a worthwhile quote from today's conversation that mirrors what is ALSO HAPPENING IN KANSAS CITY PROPER . . .

“There’s no question that we have a crisis in St. Louis,” said bill sponsor Rep. Brad Christ, R-south St. Louis County. “The public safety crisis is a mess. The police are hurting. We’re down to one of our lowest counts of police officers ever. It’s dangerous for them. It’s dangerous for the citizens.”

Like last year, lawmakers have put forward state control of the St. Louis police department as a way to reduce the influence of politics on policing, address crime, and stem the tide of officers leaving the department.

“As of today, SLMPD is 353 officers short. We have nearly 270 officers eligible to retire. So that’s a terrifying thought and a cliff that could actually be a major problem,” said Jane Dueker, a lobbyist for the city’s police union.

Again . . .

KCPD IS ALSO CONFRONTING A VERY SIMILAR STAFFING CRISIS!!!

And our homicide rate is quickly catching up to last year's historic pace.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

St. Louis police chief back at Capitol to oppose state takeover

Tracy told a state Senate committee Wednesday he would not have accepted the post if he thought politics would prevent him from doing his job.

Missouri House passes bill placing St. Louis police department under state board

The legislation, which now goes to the Senate, would place control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under a board consisting of governor-appointed members and the mayor of St. Louis.

Developing . . .