ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis pastor said he demands change in his neighborhood.
Anthony Robinson, the pastor of Greater St. Luke Baptist Church, said speeding drivers hit the building several times and damaged not only the sanctuary inside the church but also streetlights outside the building.
Despite Robinson's efforts, he said he's had a tough time receiving help from the city and the lack has started to affect his sanctuary.
"This is an ongoing safety issue. Perhaps had the lights been here the night that this happened, they maybe would have seen the building, and they could have avoided the building because it was so dark, they couldn't even see the building," he said.
At first glance at the church, it's hard to miss the holes in the building and the exposed wires on the street.
Robinson has lived with these conditions for far too long, he said.
"It just seems to be this community has been hit multiple times with excuses of why we can't improve this community and make sure that it's at least safe, even if we've not upgraded the things that maybe other communities have," he said. "At least make sure it's safe and it's lit up, so that when everyone comes up and down [the street], they can at least see all of the wonderful businesses and things in Baden," he said.
5 On Your Side first met Robinson back in late September, when he came to work one Sunday morning and found his church was slammed by a reckless driver, and it wasn't the first time.
"This street has been notorious as a race track. Speeders coming up and down, probably doing 80, 90, even 100 miles an hour, the daytime and at night," he said.
Since then, Robinson has spent the last three months calling the city and his alderwoman, asking for them to replace the lights speeding drivers have ruined. But he's gotten nowhere.
"We're getting no results. We're getting the same action, just a different day," he said.
Robinson said his lights aren't the only ones along North Broadway that have been hit and knocked down.
The first light that was hit outside his church was back in 2021.
Robinson said it's not only a safety hazard for his congregation, but also for the surrounding community.
"Our concern is if they can't see the property here on Broadway, this will continue to happen," he said.
Since it gets darker earlier in the day, and Robinson is worried about the people who come to his sanctuary to worship, he has even moved some church activities around.
"We've limited our services during the week and we went on Zoom just to make sure our congregation stays safe," he said.
At the end of the day, Robinson just wants his voice heard and light shed on the issue.
"I know we have difficulties in all of our St. Louis communities, but at least we know we can be safe," he said.
Another business owner along that street came up to 5 On Your Side and said his business had been hit four times and he also wanted change.
5 On Your Side reached out to the alderperson of this area, but still have not heard back.