It seems that St Louis is the murder capital of the United States. Last year, St. Louis had the highest reported murder rate per 100,000 inhabitants. St. Louis’ homicide rate hit 87 murders per 100,000 residents in 2020, which has the highest number since 1970. It was a big jump from the previous top rate of 69 set in 1993. Sadly among those 87, there were 17 children younger than 18.
The chance of being a victim of some form of crime in St Louis is 1 in 52- the equal highest in the United States.
Last year the St. Louis police Chief John Hayden said that officer morale was “being drained” due to the hefty workload. Just in July of 2020, the city reported 53 homicides, the most in a single month.
(July was) “more demanding than I’ve seen as a St. Louis police officer in 33½ years.” St. Louis police Chief John Hayden
So within St Louis, which are the most dangerous neighborhoods and ones that we should be aware of our safety? Let's look at the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people for each area, compared to the St. Louis violent crime average.
1. Peabody-Darst-Webbe
The most dangerous neighborhood in St Loius is Peabody-Darst-Webbe. Peabody–Darst–Webbe is bounded by S. Tucker Blvd. on the east, Chouteau Ave. on the north, Dolman Street on the west I-55/I-44 interchange the south.
In this neighborhood, the crime rate that is 186% above the national average. Of even more concern is that the violent crime rate is an astonishing 1189% above the United States average.
Overall Peabody-Darst-Webbe crime rates are 60% higher than the St. Louis average.
2. Old North Saint Louis
In Old North Saint Louis, the crime rate that is 459% above the national average. The violent crime rate is an incredible 958% above the United States average. Old North Saint Louis crime rates are 72% higher than the St. Louis average.
3. Wells-Goodfellow
Coming in third place on this list is the Wells-Goodfellow. The neighborhood is bordered by the St. Louis city limits on the north-western edge, Dr. Martin Luther King Drive to the south-west, Natural Bridge Avenue to the north-east, and Union Boulevard to the south-east.
Here the crime rate is 397% above the United States average, and violent crime is 945% above the national average. Wells-Goodfellow crime rates are 52% higher than the St. Louis average.
What is being done to reduce crime in St Louis?
St Louis City leaders said the newly formed Cure Violence intervention program has helped reduce crime. The program launched in 2020 in Wells-Goodfellow, Hamilton Heights, and part of Walnut Park and Dutchtown and tackles violence as a public health issue.
The city is hoping to expand the program into more areas of St Louis.
"That's gonna help our youth. That's gonna help our people who live in our neighborhoods and communities to be able to live without fear. We will get the federal funding through the American Recovery Act and I plan to introduce the bill in mid-July, and hopefully if it passes then the Cure Violence program could expand to Walnut Park West by early fall." Lewis Reed, the president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen.
The rest of the top 10 most dangerous neighborhoods
Looking at the rest of the neighborhoods that make the top 10 in terms of crime:
4. Academy
5. Hamilton Heights
6. The Ville
7. Walnut Park East
8. Baden
9. Hyde Park
10. Jeffvanderlou
Hopefully, the Cure Violence program can expand and help curb the violent crime affecting St Louis. The title of most dangerous city in the United States is not something to be proud of. And these neighborhoods represent the most hazardous areas of the most dangerous city.
Readers of St Louis, what do you think? Do you feel safe in your city? And do you think enough is being done to reduce crime and make the city safer?