Gang Violence In St. Louis, Missouri

The Cause and Effects of Gang Violence in Saint Louis, Missouri Up until the last two decades, Saint Louis, Missouri has been a rather safe and quiet city. But in 2015, the city experienced more homicides than any year in the past two decades and landed itself among the most dangerous cities in America (Murphy “2015 Was St.”). In fact, just this year the city was named the most violent city in America (“St. Louis Named”). A large reason for the violence is gang affiliation. Another cause for their high violence rate is drugs. All those who live, work, and even those who visit the city and the city itself are affected by the violence. In the city of Missouri, children are committing crimes, taxes are rising, and lives are lost because of senseless …show more content…
The city has the highest crime rate in America due to the city’s numerous gangs. They wreak havoc by initiating new members into their clan and by retaliating to other gangs. Initiation usually includes committing a crime anywhere from stealing to homicide. To some, being in a gang is a way to get protection from other nearby gangs. To others, gangs are seen as family. Drugs are also a massive problem in Saint Louis. Drug addicts will do anything, including killing or robbing to get the narcotics they need to keep their dopamine levels high enough to block out their problems. Overall, Saint Louis has a rapidly climbing crime rate that needs to be addressed. In Saint Louis, lives are not only harmed, they are also lost due to gang violence. Crimes in Saint Louis are currently at an all-time high. The city had the most homicides it has ever had last year. Along with a record breaking homicide rate, their violent crime rate is through the roof. Last year, the population of the city sat at 318,727 people. For every one hundred thousand people, 159 homicides and 5,348 violent crimes were committed (“St. Louis Named”). These statistics of the city frighten tourists and outsiders of the community causing them to not feel the desire to explore the …show more content…
At a young age, numerous kids are introduced to the wrong crowd of people. In these crowds they witness horrific events and are taught the wrong morals of life. Everyone, especially children, need a family to support them. Often children in the area are not blessed with a family, making them look elsewhere for the family they desire. That is when gangs become their support system (“Why Young People”). Even when children come from a stable family, they still may affiliate with gangs. In high school, countless students in Saint Louis are exposed to gangs. Whether they are exposed to them in high school or in the streets of the city, gang members fill the city and the youth is not