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BY JAY-DEE BUSH

As the result of a double shooting that took the life of a popular community leader, North County residents turned out in force last week to express concerns about crime and what can be done about it.

Tyrone Thompson, a state attorney general’s consumer fraud investigator, was one of the victims along with an 18-year-old assailant in the incident that took place in Thompson driveway late one night in early June.  Another 18-year-old was arrested and faces double murder charges.

The St. Louis County Police Department held  a neighborhood watch program meeting on June 9  at the Hazelwood East Early Childhood Center to address the killings and also to give residents a forum to express their opinions and concerns on the safety of their community.

Lt. Bryan Ludwig, the watch commander of the North County precinct, hosted the meeting. There was not an empty seat in the room and some people had to stand alongside the walls.

After an opening prayer was made on behalf of the Thompson family and the people in the Black Jack community, Ludwig opened by admonishing everyone to take the initiative to get involved in assisting police to thwart crime in their neighborhood.  “It’s very important to us that you get involved in helping us because we can’t do it alone we need your help” said Ludwig. Thus, the tone was set for the entire meeting because that sentiment would permeate throughout the meeting.

When addressing the amount of crime that has been being committed lately in St. Louis County, St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch said, “There has been a series of crimes that’s been taking in the area lately, but it’s not just limited to North County it’s everywhere, South County, Illinois and everywhere.”

Also according to Fitch crime in the area is down 5 percent from last year record so far. He said that this was a terrible isolated incident and that it is not commonplace in the area. But he also warned those in attendance to nevertheless be mindful of who is in their neighborhoods and keep a watchful eye out for suspicious looking individuals who may be wandering around.

Those in attendance were also informed about their Neighborhood Enforcement Team (N.E.T) by Sgt. David Kopfensteiner who heads the team. A few of the things that this special group of police officers do is constantly canvass neighborhoods, pedestrian checks, field interview reports and crime stopper follow-ups.

Sergeant Kopfensteiner assured the audience that their (N.E.T.) goes through tremendous lengths to ensure the safety of its residents. “These officers will sometimes dress down to stop crime,” said Kopfensteiner. He went on to elaborate that oftentimes residents may not be aware of an officer’s presence in their neighborhoods but assured them that they are frequently around.

County Executive, Charlie Dooley said, “Government cannot do it by themselves. Police need your help. The criminals are a small fragment of our community. The only way change is going to come is if you tell what you see by getting involved.”

St. Louis County Neighborhood Watch Head Sgt. Tim Ware talked about how residents can participate in the program by attending meetings. He also cautioned those in attendance to make sure they secure their homes and to call the police at any sign of suspicious activity. “If you think about calling the police, you should. If it turns out to be nothing that’s fine too,” said Ware.

The  meeting concluded with a question and answer session. The hostility and frustration of the murders was apparent in the attitudes conveyed by those in attendance. Peoples concerns ranged from the lack of racial diversity in the St. Louis County Police Department to the neighborhood teens not having enough positive things to do to occupy their time.

Some also voiced the opinions about enforcing a stricter curfew on teens. Perhaps the  one thing  for certain is the mourning over the lost of one the area’s exemplary leaders and the determination to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

For anyone who would like to make a donation to the Thompson family all donations may be sent to the Kwame Foundation, 1204 Washington, St. Louis, Mo. 63103.

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