I’m frustrated. Here’s why.

Every other day someone is killed in the City of St. Louis. That’s not an exaggeration. In 2017, we have had 45 murders in the City of St. Louis, and we are on track to surpass the record 188 last year. In the last 24 hours, four people lost their lives to homicide, including two utility workers. These are men and women we depend on to help cool and heat our homes, schools and offices. They help ensure we can prepare hot meals for our families and draw warm baths for our kids. These are our neighbors. My thoughts and prayers are with their families.

We often think that one person can’t do much to stop such terrible tragedies. I feel most frustrated when I feel helpless. But, we aren’t helpless, and I believe each one of us has an opportunity to take action. We each must use our own passions, skills and abilities to create the change we want to see. Whether it be volunteering to mentor a child in need, checking in on our elderly neighbors, or lending your voice to the neighborhood association, we can all do something. That includes me. I pledge to use my personal and professional influence to:

•   Ensure addressing the gun violence epidemic remains a top priority in our region

•   Champion tables of cross-sector leaders to agree on a specific course of action to end the senseless killings

•   Ensure a regional laser focus on education and workforce development, two key ways we can stop the gun violence pipeline

No matter your position or neighborhood, we each can commit to change the narrative and reality of St. Louis as a hotbed of crime.  We can be known as the first rate city that we are. What will you pledge to do? Tell me about it in the comments section below.