Uniformed deputies from the St. Louis City Sheriff's Office could soon be pacing MetroLink platforms, as Bi‑State Development weighs a shift in who patrols the region's light rail system. Under a proposed agreement, some of the police presence now provided by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department would move to a dedicated team of eight deputy sheriffs, plus a lieutenant and a sergeant, at a first‑year cost of about $921,262.
According to First Alert 4 (KMOV), the sheriff plan's $921,262.32 first‑year price tag includes a one‑time $77,988.32 equipment allotment for uniforms, radios and less‑lethal gear. The outlet reports that the contract is not yet signed and that Bi‑State turned to the sheriff's office after SLMPD told the agency it did not have the staffing to meet earlier patrol commitments. SLMPD’s public affairs director told First Alert 4 the department will keep responding to MetroLink calls while it works to rebuild staffing levels.
Inside Bi‑State's Security Shuffle
Bi‑State Development board documents show the agency approved a one‑year extension with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department that runs through June 30, 2026, while also noting a reduced SLMPD presence on the system. The paperwork explains that Bi‑State planned to use savings from the smaller SLMPD patrol to strengthen other security measures and to seek additional law enforcement partners. In those same materials, officials frame the sheriff‑deputy proposal as one part of a multi‑tiered security strategy that also features camera upgrades and tighter station access controls.
Riders Say More Badges, Less Worry
Daily riders told First Alert 4 (KMOV) that a visible uniform on the platform still goes a long way. Regular commuter Chris Hollemeyer said that seeing security out in the open helps deter crime and eases the stress of the daily ride. Fellow rider Sandretta Crawford said “visible officers will make a huge difference” for people worried about theft or harassment on trains, echoing years of public calls for more obvious enforcement on MetroLink.
Security Upgrades Already Rolling Out
Separate from the proposed sheriff deal, Metro Transit has been steadily adding physical security upgrades. Its Secure Platform Plan brings gates, cameras and controlled access to stations in order to funnel riders through monitored entry points. Agency leaders say those investments are meant to complement, rather than replace, on‑the‑ground law enforcement so patrol officers can concentrate on investigations and serious incidents. That blended strategy is the basis for Bi‑State's argument that it can reallocate some patrol dollars while still boosting overall system security.
For now, the proposed sheriff contract remains unsigned, and any shift in who patrols MetroLink platforms would need to be finalized before the current SLMPD arrangement ends on June 30. Local officials, Bi‑State staff and law enforcement leaders still have to hammer out details on staffing levels, equipment and deployment schedules. This report will be updated if and when a formal agreement is approved.
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