ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe gave his State of State address earlier this week and doubled down on his support for a state takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
In his State of State address, Kehoe expressed wanting the state to take back control of St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), something that has not happened since 2012, when Missouri voters approved giving the City of St. Louis control of its police department.
Kehoe in his speech called crime in the city 'unacceptable.'
Kehoe joined Megan Lynch on 'Total Information A.M.' Thursday to address his speech and says policing in St Louis still needs to be changed despite lower reported crime numbers under Chief Robert Tracy.
"I don't want to make this political at all, it shouldn't be political protecting and serving the men and ladies that we have in the St. Louis community who are keeping our street safe," said Kehoe on 'Total Information A.M.'
Kehoe says he has told city and community leaders that his measure/barometer for success is seeing investment from business leaders.
"If business leaders are not investing in the downtown area, if they are not growing jobs, creating opportunities for Missourians, then I say we have a problem," said Kehoe. "You've seen people leaving, you just saw (KSDK) announcing they are leaving just a few weeks ago."
"That's the barometer we have to pay attention too, because when those organizations feel like they can invest in any part of the St. Louis region and grow jobs and businesses, then I'll know we are on the right track."
Kehoe did give praise to Tracy, calling his hiring 'one of the best things' he has ever seen come to St. Louis.
"We are very fortunate to have him, I'm a huge fan," said Kehoe. "The chief is doing an incredible job paying attention and helping his troops."
"I believe they can add a little bit of more certainty and I think it can help us with recruitment issues. We're 350 slots down in SLMPD right now and we're having problems getting people to even apply."
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones joined 'The Chris and Amy Show' Wednesday and pushed back on Kehoe.
"I want to remind (Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe) on who hired the police chief: I did. I want to know who the current status quo is," said Mayor Jones.
"A 42% reduction in homicides, 24% reduction in overall violent crime, billions of dollars of investment in our city over last four year and into the foreseeable future is not status quo."
Jones also pointed out a raise for officers that was recently just announced and adds that 50 new police vehicles are on back order. The salary raise, however, is contingent on the department remaining under local control.