ST. LOUIS – Downtown visitors can feel a little safer and it’s only a phone call away. Greater St. Louis, Inc. (GSL) launched the Downtown Public Safety Ambassador Program. Uniformed security “ambassadors” will roam downtown available to assist the public.

What You Need To Know

  • Downtown Public Safety Ambassadors are available 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. to help with safe walks, first aid, addressing minor ordinance violations, outreach to the unhoused, and more

  • Ambassadors are trained to de-escalate problems

  • They'll wear white uniforms with ambassador markings

  • To request a Downtown Public Safety Ambassador, people can call 314-978-2233

The unarmed officials will add another layer of “visible public safety” in St. Louis helping deter crime and “enhance the overall experience for residents, workers, and visitors,” says GSL.

“For people who live or work Downtown, are visiting Union Station, or coming to see one of our sports teams or a concert, this increased public safety presence will make everybody feel more comfortable and safer,” said Bob O’Loughlin, Chairman and CEO of Lodging Hospitality Management in a statement. “This program is long overdue and demonstrates the business community’s commitment to revitalizing Downtown St. Louis.” Lodging Hospitality Management owns Union station and O’Loughlin is a GSL investor.

GSL investors helped fund the Ambassador program with more than $5 million over the next three years.

“While we know that the hard work and additional patrols of the SLMPD have helped reduce the rate of crime Downtown, we also know that increasing the public safety presence Downtown with the Ambassadors will add to the sense of security for everyone,” said Kurt Weigle, GSL’s Chief Downtown Officer. “We want to thank our investors, who have stepped up to fund this important program as part of our ongoing efforts to make Downtown safe, vibrant, and beautiful.”

The City of St. Louis says this adds to the momentum for a safer St. Louis.

“The Downtown Public Safety Ambassador Program is another example of how public-private partnerships are making Downtown St. Louis more safe, vibrant, and beautiful,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “We want everyone to feel welcome while visiting the cultural hub of our region, and this program represents a strong visual reminder of that commitment.”

Similar programs exist in other cities but the Downtown Public Safety Ambassador program works to support current patrols by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD). By working with SLMPD, the Ambassadors can handle less crucial issues, providing police more time to focus on more dire situations.

“We’ve seen success in our work to reduce crime Downtown and across the City. We are trending in the right direction, but still have work to do,” said SLMPD Chief Robert Tracy. “The addition of public safety Ambassadors Downtown, working in collaboration with our officers and the local business community, will help in building on a positive experience for those who live, work and play downtown.”

Ambassadors will provide these services:

  • Safe walks for pedestrians

  • Medical first response

  • Outreach to the unhoused

  • Hospitality assistance

  • Addressing minor ordinance violations and reporting them to police if necessary

  • Business checks

To request a Downtown Public Safety Ambassador, people can call 314-978-2233.

 “Our office fully supports the mission of Greater St. Louis, Inc. and the important work it is doing in collaboration with SLMPD to reinforce our shared goals of making downtown safer for everyone who lives, works, and visits the neighborhood,” said St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore.

Ambassadors are wearing white uniforms with dark baseball style hats with parts of “Downtown St. Louis Safety Ambassadors” embroidered on each. When they’re not on foot or bicycle, the Ambassadors will roll in a dark gray hatchback with a large “Safety Ambassador, Downtown St. Louis” decal on the side. 

Though Ambassadors will be unarmed, they’ll carry basic safety and first aid equipment. They’re trained in de-escalation techniques and the mere presence of them should deter crime says GSL. 

 The Ambassadors will work collaboratively with private security professionals, the the Downtown Neighborhood Association, and the Downtown’s community improvement districts who also have their own Ambassadors. 

16 Downtown Public Safety Ambassadors will deploy by foot, bicycle, and marked vehicle from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. between two shifts daily. They’ll patrol all of Downtown and Downtown West neighborhoods. However, Ambassadors will not be patrolling Gateway Arch National Park, as that’s U.S. Park Service jurisdiction, and the campuses of Ameren and Nestlé Purina both have their own private security teams.

In an effort to plan strategically and promote accountability, the Ambassadors must enter their location and calls for service. Supervisors will be able to analyze the data to adapt staffing for community needs.

Block By Block will oversee the Ambassadors progam. The firm, contracted by GSL, has recruited and hired Ambassadors. Block By Block also manages the personnel, their training, and attained their equipment.