FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Washington University Medical Center to spend $200,000 annually on additional police patrols in Forest Park Southeast.
St. Louis, MO. June 28, 2012 – Since entering the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood in 1995, Washington University Medical Center (WUMC) has made safety and security a significant priority in working collaboratively with neighborhood stakeholders. Since that time, WUMC has invested millions of dollars into initiatives, such as increased lighting, gang-way gates, steering wheel lock giveaways, an anonymous tip-line and security patrols. In addition to security, over the last decade the medical center has sponsored numerous social and human services in Forest Park Southeast, such as programming assistance for the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club, construction of a 6 million dollar state-of-the-art community center, and sponsorship of the MERS-Goodwill employee assistance and GED program.
Over the last decade, WUMC has introduced a number of patrol efforts in Forest Park Southeast; beginning with police officers and security guards in cars, a youth and gang-intervention specialist, and since 2007, police officers on bicycles. Through these efforts there has been a remarkable progress in the reduction of crimes throughout the neighborhood. From 2000-2010, crime has been reduced in the neighborhood by over 50%, bringing the total crimes down from over 750 to below 350 annually. Through these endeavors the neighborhood has seen an increase in development, rehabilitation of buildings and overall a more involved community.
In order to continue the safety success, WUMC will be doubling its contribution to patrol services, from $100,000 to $200,000 in 2012. In the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood, WUMC will help fund over 4000 hours of additional police patrols each year. This will support the Grove Community Improvement District’s (CID) efforts, which provides over 2500 hours of patrols each year. Through these efforts WUMC is hoping to accomplish continued progress and help take neighborhood safety to the next level.
For more information about Washington University Medical Center (WUMC) please visit: www.wumcrc.com
*Washington University Medical Center (WUMC) is a partnership between BJC HealthCare and Washington University School of Medicine. Since the 1970’s, WUMC has had a vested interest in ensuring that the Central West End and Forest Park Southeast neighborhoods are stable and safe. WUMC focuses on developing key partnerships that promote continued growth and investment surrounding the medical center.
Contact:
Nathan Bishop
314-747-2336
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