Local Control? 2.13.2007 | 0 Comment(s)

From PUB DEF Weekly:

State Senator Maida Coleman and State Representative Robin Wright-Jones have introduced legislation that would return control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to the people of the City of St. Louis, ending nearly 150 years of state control.

I'm all for this bill, although having the STLPD run by the Board of Alderman is sort of a scary thought to me given their track record. On the positive side I have a better chance of voting out my alderman than I do some state elected official, so...the fear subsides.

I very much want to see St. Louis regain control of its police department. There is no doubt the STLPD will fight this Bill with all they've got, which I think is a shame. The PD seems to fight for anything and everything that will allow the department to separate itself from the community it serves. No wonder there is such distrust and animosity between police and city residents.

People on both sides need to find some common ground, and I think that all starts with the PD rejoining the City.