ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - In 2022, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones created the
St. Louis Office of Violence Prevention to directly address violent crime in the City of St. Louis.
In it's first review that was released back in late-May, the office says it saw success in violent crime reduction in 2023. Among the highlights includes a 21% reduction in homicides, a 23% reduction in shooting victims in 2023, a 39% reduction in felony theft, and a 50% reduction in youth shooting victims.
"Our mission is to work with communities to develop an ecosystem and infrastructure where we are working with organizations and credible people to decrease violence and create a safe and healthy community," said Wil Pinkney, Director of St Louis Office of Violence Prevention on KMOX's Total Information AM Thursday.
Pinkney has over two decades worth of experience in the criminal justice sector, working 20 years as a member of the New York City Police Department, along with being founder and CEO of Puissance Management & Consulting LLC, which helps organizations create successful strategies and plans.
"I grew up in New York and saw it change," said Pinkney. "Similar to what is happening in parts of St. Louis now was a lot of vacancies, empty lots, blighted buildings and a lot of crime, shooting and drugs. I fortunately was able to see that transition not only as I grew up, but as a member of the police department."
While Pinkney says the office was happy to some positive and great numbers in regards in crime reduction in 2023, it is still nowhere near where he and his office want to be.
"We are about even (in 2024), while most overall crime is down another 20%, homicides and shooting are about flat, which isn't great, but it's better than being an increase," said Pinkney. "It just goes to show we need to continue with those efforts and create those collaborations and partnerships."
