ST. LOUIS – A major shift is taking place in public safety—the St. Louis City’s police chief said that the city is seeing a historic drop in crime. 

Homicides, burglaries and shootings are down significantly, according to Chief Robert Tracy. 

City leaders see this dramatic drop in crime, and they are crediting community policing as well as officers pay raises.

Historically, St. Louis has faced significant challenges with violent crime.

In 2021, the city reported 264 homicides; however, recent data indicates a positive shift in the two months of 2025.

St. Louis city’s police chief says there is a substantial decrease in violent crime, including a notable reduction in homicides

“If you look at all the cities around this region and other states, we are all pretty high and we are all working to reduce them,” Tracy said. “If our crime is going in the right direction, then the per capita is going to come down. We have made progress but have a lot of work to do.”  

The city recorded 15 homicides through March 2.

The police department reported this is fewer than the same period last year when St. Louis had its fewest homicides in 11 years.

“We were in the top 10; we are falling out of the top 10 and I think with these numbers, if they continue the way they are going, we will stay out of the top 10,” Tracy said. “We are going in the right direction.” 

The chief said they will continue efforts in community engagement. He says social intervention efforts are crucial to sustaining this positive trend.

Officials say, despite the progress, state lawmakers are again pushing to take local control away from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, which city leaders oppose.

“If there is going to be a change, that’s always my biggest worry, because even if its well-meaning, in this process, if it is changed,” Tracy said. “There are disruptions that happened. I hope it does not disrupt as much because we are looking at very good progress.”