ST. LOUIS, Missouri — 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.
Jones addressed a crowded candlelight vigil on New Year's Eve with Mothers Advocating Safe Streets.
"I share more than my thoughts and prayers," Jones said. "Since taking office, my administration has prioritized funding for community violence prevention, intervention and enforcement investment in our youth through youth program and job training, economic justice, development and transformational community, community stabilization, revitalizing our neighborhoods. All these things, working together will help make our city a safer place to live, work and play. Our kids are safer when they have positive social opportunities and networks. Our communities are stronger when Saint Louisans have access to in-demand, high-paying jobs."
In a statement on Tuesday, the mayor's office said the improvements were not just isolated to homicides.
"Crime data reveal a 21% reduction in murders (158 in 2023 compared to 200 in 2022); a 24% reduction in shooting incidents (550 in 2023 compared to 722 in 2022); and a 23% reduction in shooting victims (631 in 2023 compared to 821 in 2022). The department also reported sharp reductions in juvenile shooting incidents (47% decrease) and victims (50% decrease) compared with the prior year," the statement said,
Greater St. Louis Inc. CEO Jason Hall issued the following statement in response to the data released Tuesday:
“We want to applaud the work the City of St. Louis and the SLMPD have done to address public safety and to drive the reductions in violent crime announced today. Addressing violent crime is critical to restoring economic growth and prosperity for all and to meeting the objectives of the STL 2030 Jobs Plan.
“In the Spring of 2023, the business community took a leadership role in calling out the metro’s homicide crisis and the need for a regional violent crime reduction strategy, and regional leadership responded by stepping up and working with national experts and local community leaders to address the crisis.
“Additionally, the business community stepped up to call out the failures of former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner and organized resources to support the transformative work of Gabe Gore to restore professionalism and confidence in the office of the Circuit Attorney, which has further helped efforts to reduce violent crime in the City.
“There is still much work to done, but the data released today is a great sign of improvement and more proof of the resurgence of the St. Louis metro.”