Chief Robert Tracy of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department introduced himself and talked about his accomplishments in law enforcement that spans over three decades during “Stop The Violence” town hall meeting at Centennial Christian Church on Fountain Avenue in North St. Louis. Moderating the meeting was the newly elected State Rep. Del Taylor.
Tracy has received numerous awards and honors for his work in law enforcement and is considered a nationally recognized expert on crime reduction and community policing.
Chief Tracy is 10 weeks in on the job. “We’re not going to have long term sustainable success if the community and the police are not working together,” he said. Chief Tracy has been going on town-hall style meetings almost every night and sometimes two.
“We do have a violence issue,” he said. “How do we try to reduce this.” Chief Tracy said he is implementing CompStat, a methodology they used successfully in New York.”
While working in New York, “A man named Bill Bratton came in and he was an outsider. What can this man show us that we don’t already know?” Bratton used crime data and technology which revolutionized policing along with unprecedented community engagement. This is now known as CompStat, a proven method that reduces crime.
Chief Tracy reminds me of Commissioner Gordon in the GOTHEM TV Series. His down-to-earth personality is magnetic and he seems like he really cares about his officers. He is by-the-book and his track record leads me to believe he maybe the only one who could fix St. Louis and make it safe again.
Chief Tracy’s resume is beyond reproach, so St. Louis is very fortunate to have him as a leader in law enforcement. He is articulate and a trail blazer when it comes finding novel ways to decrease crime. Its a collaborative approach with everyone involved: the community, using the newest technology, adding police presence where the hot spots are, enforcing traffic laws to name a few.
WHAT: “Stop the Violence” Public Safety Town Hall
WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Centennial Christian Church — 4950 Fountain Ave., St. Louis MO. 63113
