ST. LOUIS — Pam Boyd has lived in the 27th ward for 30 years, and for the last two years, she's been the Alderwoman for the ward.
Boyd said she's had enough of the rampant drug-dealing, shootings, murders and other crimes that are ruining her northside neighborhood.
"This is a good place to live and many of our families have stayed here for a long time. Most feel safe, but some don't. That's a hurting feeling when you feel like you have no control over how to stop it," Boyd said.
She and her team of supporters, which includes citizens and business-owners, now hope to stop it by hitting the streets.
"We are getting ready to start canvassing these hot blocks that we feel have been targets of these high-crime areas," Alderwoman Boyd said.
Boyd said as of October of 2018, five homicides occurred in the 27th Ward. This fall, that number has more than doubled.
"In 1990, the Walnut Park area was called 'Murder-ville,'" said Boyd.
Alderwoman Boyd is now pleading to City Hall, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and to state and federal officials to help her make her ward "a safer, better place to live."
Two weeks ago, a 19-year-old man was killed during a double-shooting, a block away from Boyd's home.
"It doesn't make any sense. My heart goes out to any mother who loses a child," said the St. Louis City Leader.
One thing she'd like to see: more police officers walking the streets in the 27th ward.
"I think it would make a difference and help people get to know the officers better and vice-versa," Boyd said.
"Hearing all the gunshots has become common," said Julie McAfee, the Director of Hilltop Child and Family Development Center on West Florissant.
The daycare has been in the 27th ward for more than 50 years.
"I think having the officers walking the streets, getting to know the residents, getting to know the business-owners will help make the residents feel more comfortable like they have security here," said McAfee.
In addition to tackling crime in the 27th Ward, Alderwoman Boyd wants to see more vacant houses torn down.
A City spokesman said they are "aggressively tacking the problem of vacant properties, particularly in the 27th Ward."
We're told so far the city has demolished more than 500 vacant properties city-wide.
Meantime, Alderwoman Boyd remains optimistic about her goals.
"I think within six months to a year, you will see some results starting to happen," said Alderwoman Boyd.
