Former Downtown Resident Expresses Disappointment Over Crime Levels in Missouri’s Largest Metro City

A former resident of downtown Missouri’s largest metro city voices concerns about rising crime and questions government efforts, despite overall crime statistics showing a decline.

My spouse and I are leaving our downtown St. Louis loft—not because of racism, poverty, or white flight, but due to disappointing behavior, a new mayor, ongoing political issues, and a neglected, crime-ridden downtown. I’ll miss the rooftop parties, Arch views, and vistas stretching to the CWE, Forest Park, and Clayton.

That said, like most of my neighbors, I’m not leaving the city. I love St. Louis. I grew up in the county and chose to live here. We simply found a quieter townhome near the Central West End that better fits our needs.

My mom now lives in a nearby assisted living facility, and I can walk to see her. My small dogs will enjoy that too.

Now let me explain why I’ve given up on downtown St. Louis. Too many unhoused individuals roam the streets daily, begging and harassing residents and tourists.

The city still lacks a real plan to address this problem. With a new mayor in office, I expected change. Nothing has improved. Frankly, Tishaura Jones might as well have stayed for another term.

Landlords—including our former one—have filled historic loft buildings with low-income and Section 8 tenants. I don’t oppose that in principle. I do expect tenants to respect themselves and their neighbors.

For years, that hasn’t happened. Young women invite dangerous crowds into their units. I’ve watched people break into parked cars. Game days make everything worse. Despite repeated warnings, fans linger near their vehicles and become easy targets.

Some tourists park outside secure garages to save money and pay the price later. I support affordable housing, but at what cost? Many visitors show little respect for the people who actually live downtown.

A few months ago, a serious fight broke out right outside our building. It had nothing to do with race. Three young men attacked my neighbor over a drug debt. Police took an hour to arrive, even though the station sits just blocks away.

I raised these concerns with management. Nothing changed. They hire unqualified staff to answer phones, collect rent, and handle complaints. The response was minimal at best.

The State of Downtown

Hooters closed for business reasons, not crime. Still, the location had become a magnet for disorder and illegal activity. Nearby, the old Famous Barr parking garage stands as a clear symbol of neglect.

Before Mayor Jones and STLDC’s Neal Richardson left their roles, they earned praise for early efforts to address the property. Since then, those efforts seem to have stalled. The new mayor appears focused elsewhere.

When friends visited for a major convention, I felt embarrassed. We had to walk through the cluttered Macy’s site just to reach Ballpark Village.

Add the rundown Metrolink station, the boarded-up One Bell Center, and the vacant Mark Twain Hotel, and downtown feels abandoned.

Metrolink Stations

St. Louis shares mass transit with Metro East, including East St. Louis. That brings fare jumpers and trouble downtown. The new security system may help, but the damage is already done.

Mark Twain Hotel

I’ll keep this brief. A former client lived in the Mark Twain Hotel. Once a luxury property, it became a flophouse and now houses primarily low-income residents, many with criminal records.

The surrounding area—near Arcade and the Syndicate buildings—has become another hotspot for crime. I often wonder why the city allows downtown to decline like this. I want to support those in need, but businesses are leaving, residents are moving out, and tourists are posting negative reviews online.

Conclusion

Downtown needs real change. Obsessing over Rams money won’t fix it. St. Louis has the resources to improve its core, but leaders seem more focused on playing it safe than addressing everyday problems.

I’m not attacking a city I love. I just wish local leaders would learn from cities like Denver, Nashville, or Kansas City. Everyone deserves affordable housing, but hardworking residents—Gen Xers like me included—also deserve safety and peace of mind.

We should be able to enjoy downtown without worrying about car break-ins, muggings, or constant harassment.

And finally, a shoutout to my friends at Oliver’s property on Washington Avenue—check out their work and see what thoughtful investment can look like.

Finally, blogger Richard Livington, wants to thank The Narrative Matters, for providing a platform to share my thoughts. Take care, and have a joyful holiday!

Missouri, downtown crime, city safety, crime statistics, resident concerns, government response, urban crime, community safety

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