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Bill to allow state control over St. Louis police moves to the Senate

Published

2 years ago

March 9, 2023

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State control over the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is one step closer to becoming a reality.

Missouri House members passed the bill, and it is now in the hands of state senators. As HB 702 passed through the house in Jefferson City, some people in St. Louis are hoping the bill fails in the Senate.

“If the state takes over the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, that’s reversing the will of voters,” said Nick Desideri, communications director for St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones’ office. “There are still many ways to stop this in the Senate, and we’ll be looking to Senate Democrats to stand strong.”

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He said their office believes state control is an empty promise the state can’t deliver, decreasing crime. Desideri said across the state is a prime example.

“In Kansas City, which is still under state control, the city saw its three deadliest years in the past three years,” he said. “It’s clear that state control isn’t working in Kansas City, and it wouldn’t work in St. Louis either.”

Representative Brad Christ said the city’s police department is down hundreds of officers and it is time for the state to take over.

“I think 10 years is a good stint. The other thing people voted on 10 years ago were the campaign promises of lower crime, cost savings, and a thriving business economy,” Christ said. “This 10-year stint has failed on all three of those.”

He said Kansas City is a good example of how state control impacts crime state, but he has a different take than Desideri.

“Their crime statistics are about half of St. Louis, so it’s a significant drop from our state control to their local control,” Christ said. “Second of all, their crime statistics have stayed pretty steady over the last 10 years while their region is growing. So St. Louis is declining, and our crime is rising.”

If the bill passes, five people will control the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Mayor Jones will be one, and the other four will be appointed by the governor. They must be residents of the city for at least four years.

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Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

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The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

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St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

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Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

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Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

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