By Lewis E. Reed
I’m sure most people have seen something out there regarding local control of the St. Louis Police Department. It’s been in the Post-Dispatch (here), the St. Louis American (here) and the Columbia Tribune (here). Also, the issue has been on local blogs (here), (here) and (here). It has been the subject of St. Louis City Board of Aldermen resolutions (here) and is being discussed in the State Capitol (here).
I am favor of local control of the St. Louis Police Department. I was in Jefferson City yesterday to support HB2117. This issue is not about a specific period in time or specific individuals. It has little to do with our current police chief, police board or the Mayor. Local Control is, quite simply, about accountability to the citizenry of the City of St. Louis.
Currently, St. Louis City spends roughly 30% of the annual budget on the Police Department. Almost 1/3rd of taxpayer dollars are not being held accountable by local elected officials. We pay the bills, but don’t have say in how the money is spent. This troubles me and as a citizen of the City of St. Louis, it is frustrating that we, ultimately, have very little say in one of the most important aspects of our lives, public safety.
Aldermen are elected by the citizens of their respective wards. Aldermen are held directly accountable by their constituents and have a much better understanding of the pertinent issues that we, as City residents, deal with on a daily basis. It is only logical and more efficient, that those who know best the problems are given the authority to remedy the problems.
It is clear that it is time for the state of Missouri to return control of the St. Louis Police Department to the people that the Police protect, the citizens of the City of St. Louis. I urge all state elected officials to work together to get HB2117 passed.
Photos from Yesterday