ST. LOUIS (AP) - St. Louis leaders are raising concern over a spike in crime, including a big jump in violent crime.
Police Chief Sam Dotson told the Board of Police Commissioners on Wednesday that crime in January rose 23 percent compared to January 2012. Murders were up 36 percent, rape 62 percent, robbery 57 percent and arson 44 percent.
Dotson says part of the reason is that January 2012 crime was extraordinarily low. And he says early indications suggest that February numbers will be better.
Mayor Francis Slay says crime numbers have overall declined sharply during his 12 years in office.
Dotson also told the board that the police budget is short $14 million in revenue, though he says proposed pension reform could make up most of the difference.