Newly released crime data for August 2024 indicates that the City of St. Louis continues to see a decline in crime, including homicides.
Through August 31, St. Louis recorded 106 homicides in 2024, down from 109 at this time in 2023, 136 at this time in 2022, 123 at this time in 2021, and 183 at this time in 2020.
“Every life lost to gun violence is one too many, and we have to keep working to bring these numbers down further,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “I am incredibly proud of the work done by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Office of Violence Prevention, and other City departments and community partners to improve our performance on prevention, intervention, and enforcement.”
The city has seen a decrease in homicides every year during the Jones administration, which began in 2021. The number of homicides per year has decreased by nearly 40% since Mayor Jones took office.
In recent years:
– In 2020: there were 263 homicides
– In 2021: there were 201 homicides
– In 2022: there were 200 homicides
– In 2023: there were 160 homicides
The figure for 2023 was the lowest since the city recorded 159 homicides in 2014. Additionally, St. Louis saw ten homicides in August of this year, three fewer than in August last year.
The reduction in crime extends beyond homicides. Compared to August last year:
– Violent crimes decreased by 2.2%
– Property crimes decreased by 12.6%
– Crimes against society (including narcotic violations and weapon law violations) decreased by 6.3%
Moreover, the clearance rate for murder investigations by the SLMPD has improved significantly. While the national average stands at approximately 52.3%, SLMPD cleared:
-75% of homicide cases in 2023
-66% so far in this year
This marks an increase from a clearance rate of just over half (51%) back in the year of reference.
