St. Louis Ranked the Least Safe City in the US: Three Key Reasons 

Located at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, St. Louis is a vibrant city renowned for its Gateway Arch, the Anheuser-Busch brewery, delicious multicultural cuisine, and strong logistics network.

Sadly, this city’s claims to fame have taken a negative turn in recent years. In a WalletHub ranking, St. Louis was titled as the least safe city in the United States. This may also explain why the city has been witnessing a mass exodus, especially of Black folks.

In this article, we will discuss St. Louis’ current plight in detail. Listed below are three key reasons why the city is considered unsafe.

 

Rising Crime Rates

Did you know that the violent crime rate in St. Louis was higher than the national average in 2020? Ever since then, the homicide rates are only becoming worse and more alarming. As per Statista’s 2023 murder rate statistics, St. Louis ranked seventh among the most dangerous cities in the world.

If we dig into the city’s history, we may find some clues for high crime occurrences. Ever since the 1950s, racial disturbances have prevailed across St. Louis. The problem only peaked during the 1990s, given the large economic disparities and low employment opportunities.

In 2021, news reports started emerging that Black families were leaving St. Louis by the thousands. In one interview, a 42-year-old former resident of St. Louis, Fred Jamison, shared that he could hear gunshots all night long in his neighborhood.

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He decided to move out in search of a place with no gun violence and better job prospects. Some of the most dangerous neighborhoods across the city include Gravois Park, Central West End, Dutchtown, Bevo Mill, and Carondelet. In some areas, the crime rate is over 300% of the national average (shocking indeed).

 

Dangerous Intersections and Fatal Accidents

Besides the high rates of homicide, the city is infamous for its frequent road accidents. This may have to do with the fact that it is Missouri’s logistics hub. This means heavy-duty vehicles like 18-wheeler trailers, trucks, and semi-trucks can always be found on its roads.

It is a known fact that larger vehicles tend to increase the risk of road accidents, given their sheer size and multiple blind spots involved. Data shows that traffic accidents across Missouri have remained consistent over the years.

When such an accident occurs, the aftermath usually includes fatal or debilitating injuries and a tough legal battle. A truck accident attorney in St. Louis is needed to help the victim navigate the complex legal process and secure fair compensation.

TorHoerman Law states that what makes the legal process so complex is the usual involvement of multiple liable parties. On one hand, plaintiffs are already recovering from severe injuries like paraplegia, broken ribs, brain trauma, etc. 

On the other hand, they have to deal with clever insurance companies and their countless tactics to avoid resolving claims. 

Then there is the problem of existing risky highways and intersections. Some of these include Interstate 44 and Jefferson Avenue, Interstate 70 and Grand Avenue, and Bircher Boulevard and Union Boulevard, among others. In some cases, people have complained about the dangers of multiple lanes, blind turns, lack of proper signage, etc., but no action has been taken.

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This is why residents have decided that the hassle of relocation is better than the risk of staying in the city with daily fears of commuting.

 

Natural Disasters

On the whole, Missouri itself is a state plagued with natural disasters of all kinds. In the previous decade, there were a total of 51 occurrences of nature’s wrath, mainly in the form of floods, winter storms, and droughts.

These disasters cost the state $4.6 billion on average every year. Coming to St. Louis, its earthquake index has a higher score than the state’s average. The strongest earthquake ever recorded in St. Louis had a magnitude of 8.5. 

The latest recorded earthquake had a fairly low magnitude (2.5), which rattled the city in May 2022. Besides earthquakes, severe storms and floods shake the city every once in a while. St. Louis has witnessed six major floods since 2008. Can all of this be attributed to climate change? Perhaps.

However, the truth of the matter is that the situation seems to be worsening with each passing year.

 

When all is said and done, the sad conclusion is that St. Louis is gradually becoming inhabitable. Many consider its ranking as the most dangerous US city to be a myth. They believe that the heart of the city and county are safe and rank low in terms of crime and accidents when compared to the suburban areas.

However, St. Louis has experienced a major population dip of 0.4% people occurring in 2022. If its current situation persists, the exodus will likely continue. 

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