Mayor Tishaura Jones hosts an engaging conversation with North City residents to address community matters and explore solutions.
On Saturday, over 100 residents gathered at the O’Fallon Park YMCA in North St. Louis for the most attended Cabinet in Community meeting of the year. Hosted by Mayor Tishaura Jones, the event served as a platform for discussing pressing issues such as crime, infrastructure, and the allocation of significant funds from the Rams settlement.
The passionate concerns of North St. Louis residents took center stage. One attendee implored the mayor to prioritize the neglected area, highlighting issues such as derelict homes, inadequate signage, and closed schools. “North City has been last for decades. Our children are walking around seeing this, and it’s not fair. Make us better first, Mayor,” the resident urged.
In response, Mayor Jones and Police Chief Robert Tracy outlined plans for improvement, emphasizing community-driven initiatives. “When I talk about reduced crime, I know people might not feel that way because sometimes it takes time for perception to catch up with reality,” Jones said. Acknowledging frustrations, she reassured attendees of ongoing efforts to address crime at its root causes and highlighted the upcoming addition of 60 police officers to the force.
Traffic safety was another critical issue raised. “These cars are riding amuck, killing people… there’s no accountability,” lamented Prince Carter, emphasizing the need for stronger enforcement of traffic laws.
Mayor Jones also provided updates on federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The final $8.9 million of the city’s $498 million allocation was recently dedicated to establishing a state-of-the-art 911 center.
Attention then turned to the $250 million from the Rams settlement. Mayor Jones praised an upcoming bill from Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, proposing transformative investments across three funds: infrastructure, children and families, and economic development. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Jones noted, stressing the importance of using the funds to benefit every neighborhood.The meeting was a robust example of civic engagement, with residents expressing hope and frustration, and city leaders presenting transparent plans for progress. The Cabinet in Community forum reinforced the city’s commitment to inclusive growth and a brighter future for all St. Louisans
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