AsurgeinviolencemadeSt.Louisthemostdangerouscityinthecountry,leadingatrendofviolentcrimesrisingmuchfasterintheMidwestthanintherestofnation,accordingtoanannuallist.ThecityhaslongfaredpoorlyintherankingsofthesafestandmostdangerousAmericancitiescompiledbyMorganQuitnoPress.Violentcrimesurgednearly20percentinSt.Louisfrom2004tolastyear,whentherateofsuchcrimesrosemostdramaticallyintheMidwest,accordingtoFBIfiguresreleasedinJune.
"It'sjustsadthewaythiscityis,"residentSamDawsonsaid."Onthenewsyouhearkillings,someone'sbeenshot."Theranking,beingreleasedMonday,cameasthecitywasstillcelebratingFridaysWorldSeriesvictoryatthenewBuschStadium.St.Louishasbeenspendingmillionsofdollarsonurbanrenewalevenasthecrimerateclimbs.MayorFrancisSlaydidnotreturncallstohisofficeseekingcommentSunday.ScottMorgan,presidentofMorganQuitnoPress,aprivateresearchandpublishingcompanyspecializinginstateandcityreferencebooks,saidhewasnotsurprisedtoseeSt.Louistopthelist,sinceithasbeenamongthe10mostdangerouscitiesforyears.