A bit less than a year ago, we discussed St. Louis gaining the distinction of being "the most dangerous city" in the nation, in terms of violent crime. Three recent developments perhaps indicate, at least anecdotally, that the situation is not improving, and that to neglect personal security preparations for oneself and loved ones remains even more irresponsibly foolhardy here than in most other cities.
First, about a week and a half ago CBS St. Louis noted reports of packs of feral dogs threatening residents in north St. Louis:
Ten years after a fourth-grade boy was attacked and nearly eaten alive by wild dogs in north St. Louis, city leaders are scrambling to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Aldermanic President Lewis Reed is sounding the alarm. “I’ve witnessed packs of dogs, 10 and 15 dogs running together, and I’ve seen all these dogs I’m talking about they don’t have collars, they don’t have tags, these are truly wild dogs,” he said.
According to Mr. Reed, parents are in some cases finding it necessary to escort their children to and from school, carrying golf clubs and other improvised weapons.
Tuesday, KSDK News reported that a different kind of pack of feral predators is also menacing St. Louisans--and inflicting far greater injury than the dogs have so far:
A south St. Louis man is out of intensive care following a beating police believe was a part of the notorious Knockout Game.
. . .
This is the fourth instance in recent months of the Knockout Game. It happened right in front the library on Grand near Gravois Friday night.
In this sick "game," which has apparently become somewhat popular in the area of late (this is the fourth local incident in the past few months), mobs of teenagers (around 18 of them is the estimate in this case) swarm an unsuspecting victim and beat him unconscious with bricks or whatever else is at hand--all for "fun." Keep in mind that in the real world (as opposed to movies and television), a beating that knocks the victim unconscious is a very serious affair. One does not simply wake up with a headache, and carry on with one's life. The potential for serious brain damage--or even death--is quite real.
Mayor Francis Slay happened to be the first one on the scene (with a security guard), and was understandably "disturbed" by the event. Whether or not his "disturbance" is sufficient to overcome his longstanding hostility to the concept of armed self-defense is not yet clear--but one should probably not hold one's breath.
And there is yet a third menace--fake "cops" who pull unsuspecting motorists over and rob them. From KSDK News:
St. Louis police are investigating three reports of two men impersonating police officers and pulling people over.
Police said two men in a SUV pulled over two women in the 7200 block of North Broadway around 12:15 a.m. Tuesday. The suspects armed with a gun walked up to the vehicle and demanded items from the victims.
That robbery was one of three thought to have been perpetrated by the same two men within about half an hour. Their black SUV, with a blue and red light bar on the dashboard, plausibly imitates an unmarked police car, and when the robbers come out, it's too late to escape.
The police do offer some advice:
Police said if you get pulled over and suspect the person is not a police officer, you have options. Police said officers should have the word "Police" on a vest or jacket or should have their badge displayed.
No word, apparently, about the possibility that the fake cops could have a vest or jacket that says "Police," or display a fake badge. Then again, the fact that someone is a real "Only One" is hardly a guarantee that he is there to "protect and serve" you.
St. Louis can be a dangerous place, and it's even more dangerous for those not prepared to defend themselves.
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