Missouri politicians love to talk tough on crime. Whether they’re standing behind a podium at the state capitol or pushing out glossy campaign mailers, they boast about making Missouri safer. But behind all the speeches and slogans lies a hard truth:
Missouri is one of the most dangerous states in the country.
According to the latest FBI crime statistics, Missouri ranks among the top 10 states for violent crime, with 458.7 incidents per 100,000 people in 2023 — significantly higher than the national average. Cities like St. Louis and Kansas City consistently rank among the most violent in the nation, with St. Louis topping the list for murder rates year after year.
But this isn’t just an urban issue. The ripple effects of violence and lawlessness reach every part of the state — from our small towns to our rural communities.
All Talk, No Action in Jefferson City
Despite these disturbing trends, Missouri’s politicians seem more interested in scoring political points than addressing the root causes of crime. They’ve had years — even decades — to develop policies that actually make Missouri communities safer. Instead, we get empty promises and culture war distractions.
While lawmakers continue to pass resolutions about political hot-button issues, they’ve failed to implement meaningful strategies for reducing violent crime in Missouri. Public safety remains a talking point, not a priority.
- “We’re investing in law enforcement.”
- “We’re holding criminals accountable.”
- “We back the blue.”
But where are the results? Where’s the decline in Missouri’s violent crime rate? Where’s the follow-through?
A Real Solution: Tie State Funding to Crime Reduction
If politicians truly want to make a difference, here’s a bold idea:
Tie a portion of state funding for cities and counties to measurable reductions in crime.
Imagine if cities that make real progress in reducing violent crime were rewarded with increased funding — and those that don’t were required to show reform before receiving full allocations. It would force local governments, law enforcement, and prosecutors to work together with urgency and purpose.
“Taxpayers shouldn’t be expected to keep pouring money into cities that refuse to get their crime problems under control.”
This isn’t about punishing communities — it’s about accountability and results.
Missouri Crime by the Numbers
- St. Louis regularly ranks as the most dangerous city in America, with over 70 homicides per 100,000 people.
- Kansas City broke its all-time homicide record in 2023 with over 180 murders.
- Missouri’s violent crime rate is about 40% higher than the national average.
Despite these grim numbers, the Missouri General Assembly has done little to reverse the trend. There are no statewide crime reduction benchmarks. No coordinated anti-gang strategy. No pressure on prosecutors or judges to improve performance. Just more talk.
What About Bail Reform?
One of the most frequent complaints from law enforcement is Missouri’s bail reform. Officers say they arrest the same people over and over again — only for them to be released within hours and never return to court.
There’s some truth to the frustration. Bail reform was designed to keep nonviolent, low-income defendants from sitting in jail simply because they couldn’t afford bail. But in reality, the implementation has been sloppy, and in some cases, dangerous people have been released without adequate risk assessment.
Local judges have privately expressed a desire to detain high-risk or repeat offenders, but claim their hands are tied. The Missouri Supreme Court has reportedly warned judges that detaining defendants without proper cause could result in removal from the bench or disbarment.
“Bail reform didn’t cause Missouri’s crime crisis — it’s a symptom of a justice system that’s poorly managed and lacking accountability.”
Rather than scrap reform, Missouri needs to get smarter about it:
- Use risk-based tools to decide who stays and who goes.
- Give judges more discretion for repeat or violent offenders.
- Fund pretrial monitoring and court reminder systems to ensure defendants return.
The current system leaves law enforcement demoralized, victims frustrated, and the public exposed to unnecessary risk.
Accountability at Every Level
Missouri’s violent crime problem isn’t going to solve itself. We can’t arrest our way out of it, and we can’t ignore it any longer. We need bold leadership, honest evaluation, and a willingness to hold everyone accountable — from city halls to courtrooms to the state capitol.
Here are a few common-sense strategies that actually work:
- Targeted anti-violence programs focused on gangs and high-risk offenders.
- Job training and reentry programs to break the cycle of repeat offenses.
- Investment in mental health and addiction services, especially in underserved areas.
- Statewide crime benchmarks and funding incentives tied to outcomes, not rhetoric.
We need to stop treating public safety like a political football and start treating it like the crisis it is.
The Bottom Line
Missouri isn’t getting safer. In fact, the data shows it’s getting worse. And yet, our elected leaders continue to pat themselves on the back and pretend everything’s fine.
It’s not fine.
Our families aren’t safe. Our police are overburdened. Our courts are understaffed. And our laws are toothless.
If Missouri were a business, its shareholders would’ve cleaned house by now. The only thing more dangerous than the crime on our streets is the apathy in our government.
It’s time to demand real leadership.
No more slogans. No more excuses. No more delay.
