“To keep St. Louis safe and sound, We spread the news, we’re city-bound. With facts and truth, we light the way, For safer streets, both night and day.”

St. Louis’ Crime Chime – Weekly Whirlwind of Woes:  Overview: Travis Ratliff, 42, was arrested and charged with first-degree assault, animal abuse, and two counts of armed criminal action following an unprovoked stabbing attack on a 49-year-old commuter and his dog at the Civic Center MetroLink station in St. Louis. Armed with a sharpened bladed can opener, Ratliff inflicted multiple puncture wounds before MetroLink security guards intervened and pinned him until city police arrived. Both the victim and his dog survived and are recovering from their injuries.

MetroLink Security Subdues 42-Year-Old Suspect After Commuter and Dog Are Slashed at Civic Center Station

Civic Center Station Bloodbath: Felon Travis Ratliff Faces Prison for Vicious Hook-Blade Attack on Man and Pet

The Commute

Down on Fourteenth and Spruce where the cold iron gleams,

Civic Center platform cuts through transit routine dreams.

September twenty-eighth on a brisk Monday track,

A commuter walked his canine with no eye on his back.

Forty-nine years of living, just waiting for the ride,

Loyal four-legged shadow standing steady at his side.

The Ambush

Out the shadows stepped a traveler named Travis Ratliff,

Forty-two with a gaze turning volatile and stiff.

No warning in the air, no exchange of a word,

Just an unexpected suddenness that quickly turned absurd.

In his grip was no dagger, no pistol drawn quick,

But an old bladed can opener—crude, rusted, and thick.

The Assault

With the curved metal hook he initiated the blow,

Striking flesh on the concrete in a savage front row.

Steel punctured the guardian, blade torn through the hound,

Crimson trails started pooling on the cold station ground.

The victim fought back through the shock and the pain,

Defending his dog amidst violence insane.

The Intervention

Before fatal despair claimed the pavement below,

MetroLink transit guards rushed to handle the foe.

They closed in with precision, subdued him in place,

Pinned the suspect straight down to the concrete face.

Sirens echoed in chorus down the city street lines,

St. Louis responders answered frantic transit signs.

The Recovery

Gurney rolled for the man, steady vitals maintained,

Treated cuts, stitched the punctures where the trauma remained.

And the loyal four-legger, though bloodied and bruised,

Stood surviving the trial of a weapon abused.

The Reckoning

Now the courthouse is waiting, and the gavel strikes hard:

Assault in the first degree against victim and guard,

Animal cruelty charges sealed tight to the sheet,

Double counts of armed action for the blood on the street.

Travis Ratliff detained behind iron and stone,

While a man and his pet heal in peace back at home.

From heartbreaking losses to shocking crimes, these stories paint a sobering picture of the challenges facing our communities. Let’s hope for justice, healing, and a safer tomorrow.

St. Louis Crime Chime: Partnering for a Safer Community

The St. Louis Crime Chime is evolving into a mission-driven organization dedicated to partnering with local public safety agencies and community-focused media, such as The Evening Whirl and Real STL News, to shine a light on social and violence-related issues. Our goal is to provide resources that support both victims and perpetrators of traumatic events, fostering healing and prevention within our community.

Through its St. Louis Crime Chime section. This essential platform empowers residents by highlighting emerging threats and safety concerns, encouraging vigilance and informed decision-making. Beyond reporting, it holds individuals and institutions accountable by keeping arrests and legal proceedings in the public eye, promoting transparency and urging neighbors to protect and support one another.

While the headlines often confront difficult truths, they also serve as a rallying cry for action. By staying informed through reliable sources and official police data, residents can move beyond fear and take an active role in prevention and community-building efforts. Together, we can transform awareness into meaningful change, helping St. Louis write a safer, more hopeful chapter for all.

What You Can Do

• Get Mental Health resources help for you and your family
• For daily updates, check the SLMPD Crime and Investigations page.
• For anonymous tips to the St. Louis police, use the St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers Hotline at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477)
• The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for free and confidential support. We provide free & confidential support to people in crisis for any reason, 24 hours a day.
• StopBullying.gov: Offers resources and help lines, including options for youth and veterans (Dial 988 then press 1). 
• Protect our children: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/keeping-kids-safe/can.htm

Stay tuned, stay safe, and remember: “If it’s crime you seek, we’ve got the streak.

#StLouisCrime #MetroLink #CrimeChime