St. Louis police chief discusses arrest of carjacking suspects during rollout of crime mapping tool

ST. LOUIS – On Monday, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department launched its new crime mapping tool to decrease crime.

At a news conference announcing the rollout, St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy said everyone has a role to play in reducing criminal activity. The chief is not above playing his part.

On Oct. 5, Chief Tracy and an accompanying sergeant were driving on Delmar Boulevard that afternoon when they received a report of a vehicle wanted in connection with a robbery and carjacking the night prior. It turns out that suspect vehicle was right in front of Chief Tracy’s car.

The chief jumped out with his gun drawn and took the man and woman in the vehicle into custody.

Police said the man later admitted to being involved in the carjacking. That same day, officers located a second vehicle wanted in that carjacking and robbery and recovered a firearm from that vehicle.

Chief Tracy said he was simply in the right place at the right time.

“These officers are doing this each and every day. And the officers were on the scene right away to assist in that (arrest), and in furtherance of other individuals involved in a violent carjacking and shooting at a person the prior day, and they were able to catch the other perpetrators,” he said.

“We’re all in it. I’m sworn. I have the patch, I have a badge, and I have a duty to uphold the law like everyone else.”

Meanwhile, Chief Tracy and other city officials believe the new crime mapping tool will be a game changer, providing up-to-date information on crime in the city. The tool, available at SLMPD.org/mapping, is updated every 24 hours and shows crimes from the previous 180 days.

Officials said this tool is used in other cities and has been effective. Residents and businesses will now be able to see data on misdemeanor offenses to serious crimes.

“Everything is on the table. Let’s work together to improve this situation. I think people can be trusted with it,” Tracy said.

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