In St. Louis, a new effort to improve downtown safety is bringing additional eyes to the streets. As part of a collaboration between the city and Greater St. Louis, Inc., downtown St. Louis will now be patrolled by both police and a team of Public Safety Ambassadors. According to FOX2now, the Downtown Public Safety Ambassadors Program will deploy unarmed, uniformed security guards to patrol on foot, bicycle, and in marked vehicles, aiming to bolster the sense of safety in the area.
Mayor Tishaura Jones highlighted the need for a community effort to ensure safety, "They need our community, our corporate partners, philanthropic, civic, faith community. Everybody has a role to play in making St. Louis safe," she said in a statement obtained by FOX2now. The initiative, funded by Greater St. Louis, Inc. investors, demonstrates a significant public-private partnership, with more than $5 million committed over three years.
These ambassadors, as reported by FirstAlert4, will operate daily from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m., providing a range of services including addressing minor ordinance violations, checking on businesses, and offering medical first response. They will be easily identifiable by their uniforms and are trained in de-escalation techniques, aiming to create not only a physical but also a comforting presence for residents, workers, and visitors to downtown St. Louis.
The introduction of the Downtown Public Safety Ambassadors Program is seen as a proactive measure, particularly in the wake of challenges such as reckless driving and shootings. St. Louis Today noted that these actions are in response, to convey a perception of safety where it may have waned following the COVID-19 pandemic. With the shutdown of a crime-magnet gas station, relocation of the St. Louis police substation, and planned property acquisitions by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, the ambassadors are an additional layer to the city's revitalization efforts.
The community's response to the safety initiative will play out over time, but for now, those in need of assistance from the Downtown Public Safety Ambassadors can reach out to a dedicated phone line at (314) 978-2233 for support.
