So why is St.Louis ranked as the most dangerous city in America?

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msnhar

The statistic is based off of crimes committed within the limits of St. Louis City. The population of the city is about 300,000, but the surrounding St. Louis County contains nearly 1,000,000 people, and the Metro-East population is well over 500,000. I would say that for a city of 300,000 people, the crime is pretty high. But if you take into account the entire metropolitan area, the number drops significantly. Also, there are some areas of the city that are much more dangerous than others, like North St. Louis.

stlouiewoman

Unfortunately, this is probably true. But, if you stay out of certain neighborhoods (North St. Louis City and any state street), St. Louis is like any other city. We all have our certain neighborhoods to stay away from. These are the ones in St. Louis and this just happens to be our year.
Maybe I am missing something, but where does this idea come from that if you don't like a person (for whatever reason) that is is OK to kill them?

Peej

I would disagree. I've lived in St. Louis for six years now. I use public transportation. I've been to multiple Cardinals games downtown, always taking the Metro Link. I ride a Metro Bus to and from work roughly twice a week. I ride my bike and hike in several local parks. I enjoy Forest Park especially, and living so close, we go there often. I attend concerts, and several festivals, in downtown and surrounding areas, every year. Never have I felt unsafe or in possible danger at any of these events. We are a big city and some parts of town are better than others, just like anywhere else. There are three million people in the small suburbs of St Louis who consider themselves St. Louisans, though they may not live within the city limits proper. This is a proud town, with so much to offer. Our Art Museum, History Museum, Science Center and Zoo are all oustanding, and free to the public. Forest Park is looking better than ever with the recent renovations following the anniversary of the 1904 Worlds fair. I'm truly suprised that more St. Louisans haven't defended their city in this post. Maybe they're still busy celebrating their World Championship baseball title!

Bridget

My guess is that the stats used included east st. louis.

Thisis2

As a Missouri resident, I personally think that it is getting pretty bad. I wouldn't say we are the 'most' dangerous city out there, but it is getting really bad. I wish that there could be more peace out there.

Although East St. Louis does not count (it's considered to be in Illinois), North St. Louis does, which is just as bad as East St. Louis. I've lived in St. Louis all my life and LOVE IT, however, my friends, family and i are very cautious about staying far away from North St. Louis. The extreme poverty and attrocious public school system in that area has contributed to a crime rate we hear about on the news every morning.

Lance Of Alot

The numbers that are tabulated do not paint an accurate picture. I have lived in the St. Louis area for about 14 years; moving here from Los Angeles.

I have found that the actual violence is actually pretty localized in a 15 block area in North St. Louis City. These acts seem to be against people who know each other. St. Louis is not like Los Angeles in that the people here grew up here. The grudges and problems fester over several generations and result in violence.

Would a person visiting St. Louis be attacked or killed? It is not very likely for at least two reasons; first, the attacker would not know who you were and thus would have little reason to bother with you. Second, you probably would not be in the 15 block danger zone that I mentioned earlier.

Is St. Louis dangerous? Only if you live in that 15 block area and your family was raised there.

Lisa D

If you take all crimes in consideration, then"yes" St.Louis is probably the most dangerous city per capita.I have lived in south St.Louis all my life(35 years) and the difference in crime now as compared to 20 years ago is a absolute outrage. Lisa

cheryl h

It may not be as dangerous as reported. Sometimes the way the numbers are crunched can make it appear one way or the other. Each city has a different way of reporting crimes, and some crimes are not even included in what is reported/recorded. Crime is up in all cities.

lghtsxy

I would respond yes and no. Because there are some parts of the city that are cool to go into, and there are other parts of the city that I wouldn't even go into if I didn't have to. Frankly Violence can occur anywhere, at anytime, and by anyone.

WILLIAM W

Look at what is across the river from St. Louis! A fair part of the crimes come from E. St. Louis, IL, where drugs run as free as water. It starts with law enforcement, that has it's hands tied because of such organization as ACLU.
St. Louis has made great strides since the early 90's. The city is showing great progress in cleaning up the city, thanks to mayor Clay and his predecessors. I do not reside in St. Louis, however I am there on almost a daily basis.
Bottom line! clean up drugs, and crimes will be drastically reduced not just in St. Louis, but all over america.

zsadon7775

i would dispute that because that's they're opinon if you agree ok i don' i think every state is good

awrhodes84

St. Louis is unique from most large cities such as L.A., because St. Louis City and St. Louis County are two distinct entities, and not included in the same statistics. It is unfair to constantly label St. Louis as the most dangerous when the city makes up less than a third (or fourth) of the metro area.

Further proof that this is BS... there were ZERO cases of looting during the storm of '06 that knocked out power to over one million people.

LARRY P

Gang violence, murders, commercial and private theft and assaults. Police reports are generally the method of determining the rating. When police are unable to control the statistics it's usually caused from undermanning, overwork and the crimes are just over running the city. Each police force receives only so much money to fight these crimes and keep the statistics down- it's difficult , because it's a never ending task. I don't dispute it, because I don't live in St. Louis so I can't be the judge. I don't have the crime statistics in front of me.

Jeffrey J

St. Louis isn't hard... send that pencil-pusher and his ignorant number-cruncher to Houston and see if they live long enough to finish writing the article.

mortimer1972

Umm...where is Chicago :P Gotta be somewhere between Brick and St. Louis...
Any other cities missing?

Marquitte B

I have lived in Missouri all of my life (35 years) and being only a little over an hour south of St. Louis have frequented the city often. My children's eye doctors and dentists are there plus it is the best place to go shopping and has some of the best attractions for sports and amusement. I have to say that whether traveling there or alone, I have never been worried about my safety any more so than any other city I have been in nor the rural city that I live in now. There is always a certain amount of fear associated with being mugged or burglarized in any city, but with regards to worrying about being raped or killed, I have never been concerned with while in St. Louis. East St. Louis is a different story and don't feel that that area should even be considered as it is it's own little world over there. While the statistics may show that St. Louis is the most dangerous city in the U.S., I have a hard time believing it. It's a beautiful city with a lot to offer and it bothers me to have it's image tarnished this way especially while it should be celebrating it's World Series Championship. I also find it strange that the two highest cities are the same two that were facing off. Just my opinion though.

Lei

I Moved to Saint Louis a coulpe of years ago from the Bay Area and I will say that where ever they got this information from should definatly not be taken as the gospel truth. Is there crime in St Louis? Of course, but join the ranks. Crime is happening all over the country and it is a false sence of reassurance to think you can read anything from the media and think you are getting all of the facts. It just makes for good reading but seems to be very irresponsible reporting. You cant judge a city by their so called crime rate. I 'll say one thing though, I believe the police force in St Louis is very thorough about reporting crime were as a lot of cities may have not been forth coming with reporting all of the crimes that have happened in there cities. Now this is truly the first place I have lived in in this country and I was in the military and lived in a lot of different states. This has been the first state that I have not had to program myself on a daily bases to get used to hearing gun fire atleast two or three times a day. I'm still amazed at the fact of being able to drive in any neighborhood and not see people outside playing dominoes,hanging on the street corners or any zombie type loitering. It takes my breath away. Like I stated earlier I have been here for a few years and have heard no gun shot sounds and have seen no high speed car chases etc. Just big adventure and peaceful living. I give Saint Louis a BIG THUMBS UP for letting me finally have some peaceful worry free days and nights. I would like to add that the color of a persons skin does not make crime higher or lower ,but poverty and no education would bump crime up to the top of the list. If a person feels like they are worthless and have nothing to offer to the community they usually always act out of anger and commit crimes. My prayers continue and love for the USA

stlouiegirl

I think the reason for this is because St. Louis, unlike other metropolitan areas, is totally separate from the county -- St. Louis county population is not considered a part of St. Louis city. Example, a large part of Dallas County is considered within the city limits, but only a very tiny portion of St. Louis metropolitan is "St. Louis city". Therefore, statistics would include the highest crime areas almost exclusively.

SUSAN T

In response as to whether or not St. Louis is the most dangerous city in America, I would ask a different question: Who is the most dangerous person in the world, my next door neighbor or Saddam Hussein? In all liklihood, if my next door neighbor should suddenly wig out and blow my brains out with the gun I know he keeps for self-protection, I would undoubtedly opt for the former rather than the latter as the correct answer. This quirky point of view comes from entirely too much experience. I have been a resident of the city of St. Louis for 26 years, during which time I have unhappily had one car theft and a vandalism. Just last week, two young guys were arrested for shoplifting while I was standing in line at Walgreen's to buy milk. I also lived in Chicago during the horrific and terrifying rioting at the 1968 Democratic National Convention and experienced to my lifelong despair the terror and tragedy of urban crime and violence -- at its very worst. The neighborhood was so bad that during and for several days after the riots began, National Guardsmen, with their bayonets pulled, were stationed on both sides of the steps of the steep stairway that led to the entrance of the building. So, as they say, I have been there; and know firsthand about crime and violence, and I also know that both are an integral part of living in any city in any major metropolitan area. Therefore, to dispute that St. Louis is, or at least can be, a dangerous place is ridiculous. The truth is that even if you're careful, safety is often an illusion. But to say that St. Louis (or any other city) is the worst is equally ludicrous. As I see it, and to paraphrase the "Love America or Leave It" slogan: "Hang In With the Cities, or Hang Out in the Cornfields". To me it's not primarily important whether or not the statistics are properly gathered, do or do not include St. Louis County, etc., etc. As is always the case, it is the perception of crime, not the reality that is the most frightening, and therefore matters the most. And I, for one, hated this article, refuse to be spooked by this kind of inflammatory, statistical hogwash, and very much regret the bad press it gives this fine, historical city. If I absolutely MUST worry about something, I guess it'll have to be about whether or not my car will start o.k. tomorrow or something like that. I don't have a lot of alternatives. Saddam's out being chased by the Feds and is no doubt a tad too busy being elusive to be worried about me; and my neighbor's in the hospital having his gall bladder removed; and not only can he not shoot straight enough to hit me, he's too sick at the moment to care.

Mike B

It was just for the city not for the metro area around the city

cosmiccowboy321

I have been a truck driver--over-the-road, long-haul--for the last eleven years--I have logged more than 1.5 million miles on our nations highways in 44 states and portions of Canada--I have visited MANY of the major cities here in the U.S. on more than a few occasions, and seen the nice sections and the not-so-nice--I have eaten in the restaurants of both sides of these towns and delivered freight in areas both rich and poor, economically--in my opinion, there is no real difference in any of these places--Las Vegas, Houston, Miami, Seattle, Washington DC, or whichever--if someone thinks that there is a lesser chance for violence in his/her neighborhood, they are living in a fool's paradise--you can be shot and killed by a criminal, even if you are no more than an innocent by-stander, anywhere, anytime, and there is no way to predict that--HOWEVER, if the FBI is willing to provide statistics to the public, then there is a good probability that their "number cruncher" has put a good deal of time into researching the facts (it's what they get paid to do)--how you choose to interpret them is your personal business, but I prefer to stay away from potential hot spots, if possible, to try to put the odds in my favor--as for St.Louis: I agree with the statement that there is a great deal of activity there, and this could represent a danger to the people who are in that area--my personal knowledge of that city is limited to my infrequent visits there, and I have never had any really bad experiences in St.Louis or East St.Louis--I am aware of several people who have had some unpleasant times in St.Louis, but some of their problems may have had something to do with their own personal problems or personalities--on the trucking circuit, St.Louis has a reputation that bears watching, and it is always a good idea to listen to the rumbles of the underground on such things, so I have always shown the area a large amount of respect for it's possible dangers--

emily k

St. Louis is not the most dangerous city. St. Louis, unlike other cities, is not part of a county. It is a much smaller area than other cities ranked.

Lisa 8 Mile

I am not surprised that St. Louis is ranked as the most dangerous city in America. My husband was on one of the St. Louis trains that runs through the city and witnessed a crazy woman yelling at everyone on the train. I also have heard many people complain that you should never stop in East St. Louis as it is very dangerous. I am from the suburbs of Detroit and am not surprised it ranked second. Coleman Young wanted to let the people of color to run the city and I am not being prejudiced but little good that did. Now Mayor Kilpatrick is in charge and one can see what good that did. Detroit used to be a model city when I was growing up. I blame bad leadership. Maybe if all races would have worked together, Detroit wouldn't be in the place it is now either. I think it is just a damn shame.

da_kendalls@sbcglobal.net

Having once lived in the sububrbs of this fair city, I find it hard to believe that it has fallen behind Washington, D.C. or Baltimore.

discdogbob

I've lived he my whole life (50 years) The statistics are badly flawed.

i dont know they should stay in school and get an education

Springtime

no, St. Louis is a very safe city. Since St. Louis is just considered within the city limits versus metropolitan areas, the data is not valid. I have lived here 43 years, and have never had a problem.

Randy M

CHRISTOPHER L

Not sure about St Louis...but I live about 2 miles outside of Flint Mi and I wouldn't send my worst enemy there in the dark!!! It's bad so maybe that should the worst city!!!

Stats Are Wrong

It is not. I would walk in St Louis at night where as I would not go in some areas of DC during the day. The FBI did this to take the heat off of DC, Baltimore, LA, New Orleans, or New Orleans West (Houston). In those cities you have a huge population-wanting to copulate at 15 with 'baby's daddies' and ignore the social and moral structure needed to raise children. When 80% of a subset of the population in DC have single parents (moms only) without a moral male figure in their life then that leads to a break down in society. Futher, citizens are rewarded for this behavior by getting more economic outpatient care. St. Louis has far fewer citizens meeting this definition the least reason being that the population is smaller in total. Therefore, it is impossible for the crime statistics to make such conclusion unless the Feds are not accurately representing the data perhaps by ignoring the larger metropolitan area. St Louis metropolitan area citizens might be the fortunate beneficiaries of the crime actually staying in the 'hood' versus spreading out to the surround areas and double taxing the citizens (robbery and welfare).

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