U City to Heighten Police Surveillance in the Loop

City Manager Lehman Walker is reassuring residents and visitors that will continue to field a large police presence in the Delmar Loop as it has since the warm weather arrived last month. 

“Though the actual incidents this past weekend occurred in the City of St. Louis and beyond our city limits, University City will do our part to ensure that the entire Loop area remains safe and friendly to both residents and visitors to our community,” Walker said.

Both University City and St. Louis City officials vow to continue to work together and to monitor law enforcement levels in the popular nightlife district to ensure the Loop is peaceful.

“Any violence of this type in our community has become a true rarity,” said University City Mayor Shelley Welsch. “One incident can change peoples’ perceptions in regard to safety. We are being responsive to those perceptions regardless of how frequently negative incidents occur. University City has a zero-tolerance policy for bad behavior and we will not allow the actions of a few to jeopardize the experience of the many people, young and old, who properly enjoy our city.”

University City enforces a 9 p.m. curfew for teenagers 16 and under — after that time people 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult to be in the Loop. 

Earlier this year, the University City Council approved the to assist law enforcement in monitoring street activities on a 24-hour basis. 

“We want to send a message that is loud and clear,” said Walker. “Violence of this nature or any bad behavior will not be tolerated on the streets of University City.”

Mayor Welsch also stated that the are an example of the regional issue about the need to provide places for teenagers to hang out. Welsch is chairing a regional task force focused on providing solutions for the many needs of young people, including recreational opportunities.