St. Louis just recorded its third straight year with a decline in total homicides.
While the homicide rate cannot be accurately calculated until census numbers are finalized, a preliminary police report tallied 158 homicides in 2023, down considerably from 200 in 2022 and down much further from a recent peak at 263 in 2020.
The decline in the murder death toll appears to closely align with a national decline in homicides, even as other cities like Washington, D.C., and Kansas City still struggle with surges in murder.
The newly released homicide statistics are considered unofficial until the police department and city officials publish the final figures later this week. But for now, the early indication is that judging by the total number of reported murders alone, St. Louis just saw its safest year on record in a decade.
The news delivered an encouraging boost to community advocates who fight gun violence.
“When you sit back and look at it on a broad scale, it’s mind-blowing, because this work can get overwhelming,” Willie Davis Foundation Director Khaleel Munir said.
Munir spoke to 5 On Your Side back in early June at an event called ‘Coaches vs. Crime’ that honored the victims of gun violence and their families.
During a halftime speech, Munir told the crowd, “This is about us being more responsible and also honoring and remembering those who were tragically taken from us.”
Soon after, the city started turning a corner as the homicide totals started to decline.
“Seeing that now is refreshing,” Munir said. “It’s like a jolt of energy to help us to just keep going, keep going.”
While a statistician’s spreadsheet may offer cold comfort to the sting each victim’s family feels, Munir said the trend line starts to show an outline of a city beginning to heal.
“You have to push, and you have to push, and you have to push, regardless of if you see direct results right away or if they come on a long term,” he said. “But it’s about continuous work.”
A spokesperson for Mayor Tishaura Jones’ office said the Department of Public Safety and Office of Violence Prevention likely wouldn’t address the homicide data until after the New Year’s holiday.
Experts caution against reading too much into one year of data and note that violence can fluctuate year to year. Nevertheless, the downward trend in St. Louis and other cities is seen as a positive development and a potential sign of successful anti-violence efforts. Community leaders and officials will continue to monitor the data and work towards further reducing violence in the city.
Sources: The Argus and KSDK News 5
