ST. LOUIS — Community leaders are calling for action a day after St. Louis police say a group of mostly teenagers fired stolen guns into the air in front of a home. Four of whom, including two adults, were arrested for stealing guns and discharging them within city limits.
Two initiatives are underway to tackle these types of crimes. One is a proposed city law to prevent anyone from firing into the air. There’s also a community collaboration to focus on where crimes are happening and why.
5 On Your Side cameras were rolling as police flooded Ferris Avenue near McArthur Avenue in North City Tuesday evening. There, a 17-year-old, a 16-year-old, and two 13 year olds were arrested for firing shots into the air with stolen guns.
Alderwoman Pamela Boyd of the 13th Ward, where the incident happened, said she is outraged.
"Why is it people think this is OK? This is not the norm for our city,” she said.
Next week, the city's public safety committee will hear a proposal she drafted to step up penalties for people found shooting guns into the air.
"It don't matter where bullets go, when they go up, you don't know where they're going,” Boyd said.
Another group, the Public Safety Collaborative, is gathering neighbors to lead the conversation on reducing crime.
"How many young people are carrying guns because their friends and their 'homeboys' and cousins and family members were shot and killed? Farrakhan Shegog asked. "They feel as though they have to carry a gun because ‘I don't want that to happen to me.’ It's a lot of trauma."
By identifying places where crimes are happening, the group said it hopes to recommend resources city leaders can enact.
"It can come down to better lighting on your street (and) mental health resources. How many young people are carrying guns because they feel as though they got 'beef' or they got drama with someone and they need it for protection?” he asked.
Neighbors and lawmakers now getting to work to take back their neighborhoods.
"I have 85% seniors in my community. I don't want my seniors to have to sleep on the ground because they don't know if somebody is going to get in a mood and want to shoot their gun off,” Boyd said.
Police are still looking for others believed to be with the group of mostly teenagers Tuesday.
The Public Safety Collaborative is inviting those who want to be part of the solution to join them on Thursday at 1 p.m. for a brainstorming session. The meeting will happen at the Julia Davis Library on Natural Bridge located at 4415 Natural Bridge Avenue in St. Louis.