St. Louis, known for its challenging violent crime rates, finds its Democratic mayor, Tishaura Jones, proposing a unique approach to addressing crime: focusing accountability on business owners for incidents occurring on their premises.
This suggestion was made during a meeting of the Black Mayors Coalition on Crime in Memphis, which concluded on March 28 and was not open to media participation. In a conversation with WMC-TV, Jones emphasized the need for business owners to be responsible in discussions about combating crime, particularly around convenience stores and gas stations.
Tishaura Jones (Credits: Fox 2)
The conference also touched on perceptions of crime, with Memphis Mayor Paul Young emphasizing the importance of public sentiment over statistics. Despite national data indicating a potential decrease in crime rates, the perception of safety among the public remains a concern, underscoring that statistics alone cannot dispel fears.
Contrary to the optimism expressed by some officials, recent statistics from the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission reveal an alarming increase in all property and violent crimes in 2023 compared to the previous year. This data challenges the narrative that crime is merely a matter of perception and highlights a real escalation in criminal activities in Memphis.
St. Louis’s struggle with crime is well-documented, with the city earning an “F” rating from CrimeGrade.org due to its consistently high murder and violent crime rates.
Democratic mayor Tishaura Jones (Credits: People)
Mayor Jones, who has been in office since 2021, is at the center of debates over the most effective strategies to reduce crime in one of America’s most troubled cities. The call for business owners to take greater responsibility for preventing crime on their properties marks a novel, albeit controversial, strategy in the ongoing effort to enhance public safety.
Despite the gravity of the situation and the public’s interest in effective crime-fighting strategies, Mayor Jones did not provide additional comments on her stance when approached. This lack of response leaves room for further discussion and debate on the best path forward for St. Louis and similar cities facing deep-rooted crime challenges.
Though not public, the dialogue initiated at the Black Mayors Coalition on Crime meeting signals a search for innovative solutions, even as communities grapple with the turn of crime prevention and the role of leadership in ensuring a safer environment for all residents.
