The plan involves marketing downtown as an entertainment hub and boosting security with officers patrolling the streets.
ST. LOUIS — State lawmakers are reviewing a proposal to boost security in downtown St. Louis. Plans in both the Senate and House include pumping millions of dollars into an effort to create a security entertainment district. It would involve recruiting big events into the heart of the city.
Concerts, more sporting events, you name it: the proposal includes marketing downtown St. Louis as a destination and bringing off-duty police officers and security to actually walk the streets.
With NCAA Men’s Frozen Four hockey games in town, it means more people in downtown St. Louis.
At Whiskey on Washington, staff get a boost whenever there’s extra foot traffic. Owner David Shanks wants to see that become a consistent thing.
“We want to see people. We want to see a community that once thrived,” he said.
That’s what House Bill 1524 seeks to do. State Rep. David Casteel is sponsoring a proposal for the state to invest some $2.5 million into an entertainment security district downtown, with efforts to market the area as a place for employers to move to and where big events can thrive. The plan would not create new taxes and businesses can voluntarily contribute to extra security and police patrols.
“100%… I think the more police presence just makes people comfortable, and it deters violence,” Shanks added.
A representative with the Downtown Neighborhood Association said a visible security presence is important.
“Even though downtown and Downtown West are safe places to work, live and visit, the presence of additional police or safety ambassadors enhances the safety and qualify of life of everyone,” Tanner Tucker said in a statement.
Still, he pointed to several groups already providing extra security, including the Community Improvement District and Greater STL, Inc.
“My only concerns is the number of agencies patrolling and if they are coordinating with each other… I’d rather a singular coordinated approach rather than too many hands in the pot,” Tucker added.
A spokesperson for Citizens for a Greater Downtown St. Louis shared that concern.
“While I generally support the intent of the bill, we already have three autonomous organizations that provide private security downtown and several other organizations that advocate for downtown. These organizations generally don’t work together,” Les Sterman said in a statement. “The lack of an overall security plan is one of the biggest impediments to making downtown safer. Personally, I don’t think creating a new organization to add to the alphabet soup of downtown organizations is the right approach.”
Sterman would like to see incoming Mayor Cara Spencer prioritize bringing the downtown groups together to develop an overall plan and collaborate.
Time is ticking on the state proposal, as lawmakers wrap up their session next month.
“Whoever comes to help, I’m definitely going to support… I can’t be the only person down here. We’re not going to win if we continue to lose businesses and things,” Shanks said.
Part of the proposal would be to enforce curfew rules, so teens aren’t roaming late at night.
The Ethical Society of Police said it supports the idea because it allows officers to supplement their income. The measure passed out of the House this week. 5 On Your Side will follow the proposal as Senators debate it.