ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Four mayors in St. Louis County are calling for new crime legislation, saying stricter drug and auto theft laws as part of a plan to address what they say is rising crime in the region.
The group includes Bridgeton Mayor Terry Briggs, Wildwood Mayor Jim Bowlin, Manchester Mayor Mike Clement, and Brentwood Mayor David Dimmitt, according to a press release.
“Crime is a regional issue, yet we have had no strong regional voice on solutions to reduce crime. Instead, we have had endless debates on defunding the police and the performance or lack thereof of Kim Gardner,” Briggs said.
Their push for change comes as the Missouri legislature prepares to debate a comprehensive crime bill which discusses allowing for the governor to appoint a special prosecutor for violent crimes in St. Louis and the future of the St. Louis police department.
Part of their plan is to combine the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s Office and the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office into one regional office that would “have the resources and staff to administer fair criminal justice, ensure a speedy trial for the accused, and take dangerous criminals off the street,” the release states.
“Prosecutorial resources are in some cases insufficient, and law enforcement resources have been under attack. We recognize the significant problems in the St. Louis City prosecutor’s office. Failure to prosecute criminals in any jurisdiction within this region affects the safety of all our residents,” Bowlin said. “Crime is a regional problem and needs a regional solution.”
He noted that fentanyl has become a leading cause of more than half of overdoses in Missouri, “a greater crisis than crack cocaine was in the 90s and requires immediate attention.”
For selling fentanyl that results in a person's death, the mayors want a life sentence without parole, as well as a mandatory sentence of 25 years for possession of more than one pound.
They also want more penalties for those in possession of a firearm and illegal controlled substances. And an increase in penalties for the sale and distribution of fentanyl such as serving 3-15 years, according to the press release.
“We need to crack down on drug dealers. Evidence suggests higher level drug dealers are likely to be illegally armed,” Dimmitt said.
The press release cites the elimination of many cash bond options by the Missouri Supreme Court, and so the mayors are asking for mandatory cash bonds for charges on second or more offenses after a prior conviction “to keep repeat offenders off the street.”.
“Cash bonds serve as a deterrent to criminal activity, especially for repeat offenders. By holding them under cash bonds, repeat criminals are usually stuck in jail due to being unable to post bail, or are held accountable by those who post bail on their behalf,” the press release states.
It also mentions a massive uptick in automobile thefts and break-ins across the state and country, including more than 7,500 in St. Louis last year.
“Car theft and break-ins should be treated as seriously as home and real property break-ins,” Clement said.
The mayors suggest increasing the penalty for such crimes and to modify the "point system" used in Family Court so juveniles accused in vehicle thefts will be held accountable for all their crimes, not just the "most egregious" as allowed by the current system.
“Government’s first job is to protect its citizens and fundamental, substantive reform is needed to fix a system that is failing its residents. This comprehensive package of reforms makes meaningful changes now to protect our residents and all Missourians,” the press release states.