Security

The City of St. Louis operates a 911 Call Diversion program through the Office of Violence Prevention*. Call 911 or the Crisis Hotline directly using 988 or (314) 469-6644.

Protecting the safety and security of our community members and visitors is a core mission of the Locust Central Business District. The LBD does this in a number of ways:

The Locust Business District security committee is chaired by Commissioner Mike Beckermann and meets periodically. Commissioner Beckermann is also a member of the Central Patrol Business Association. It is helpful to hear first-hand from local stakeholders on concerns and incidents that have taken place. Please click here to share a report or concern and receive notice of security meetings.

The Commissioners contract with Gold Shield Security for supplemental security patrols. Gold Shield was founded in 2014 by Paul Henkhaus who served for 20 years with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD). Patrols are members of the SLMPD working secondary shifts throughout each week utilizing a marked Gold Shield vehicle. Gold Shield can be reached at (314) 807-8575 and
goldshieldstl@gmail.com.

Note: Gold Shield does not provide dispatch (always call 911 in case of emergency).

The LBD Executive Director participates two to three times each week in scheduled security and coordination meetings with neighboring jurisdictions including Downtown and Grand Center. These meetings and LBD Board meetings involve participation of SLMPD 4th District Chief or a designated Community Engagement Officer.

The LBD also collaborates with security teams with St. Louis CITY SC, Harris Stowe State University, and other Midtown interests proactively sharing event information to inform Gold Shield’s work, report incidents and concerns, and collaborate on efforts to improve safety and security in the wider area.

The LBD has partnered with the St. Louis Police Foundation and the SLMPD to purchase and install highly visible police cameras as well as license plate readers at key intersections throughout the District that are linked to the Department’s Real Time Crime Center. These cameras enable SLMPD to track vehicles and obtain video evidence of incidents as they occur in the District.

The LBD offers property and business owners in the District incentives to improve exterior lighting on their buildings through an ongoing 50:50 façade lighting promotion.

Gold Shield conducts an annual survey of lighting in the District enabling Commissioners to follow-up with City officials.

The LBD continues to explore ways to improve pedestrian and street lighting and other infrastructure improvements to improve safety and security.

The LBD has partnered with SLMPD on security equipment sales for District stakeholders, including steering wheel clubs, gun locks, and license plate covers. Such activity may resume if warranted by supply and interest.

To explore services provided by the Office of Violence Prevention, visit stlouis-mo.gov/ovp/ or email them at violence-prevention@stlouis-mo.gov

About the 911 Call Diversion Program: The 911 Call Diversion program diverts 911 calls involving people actively experiencing a behavioral health crisis to crisis counselors or mental health specialists in order to deescalate the situation and connect individuals to the appropriate behavioral health services.