ST. LOUIS, Mo. – St. Louis Metropolitan police officers have taken nearly 90 people into custody, mostly related to fireworks, as the department increases its presence in the Downtown area to combat so-called ‘fireworks wars.’
A ‘fireworks war’ is when groups of individuals meet up and shoot fireworks at each other.
On July 4, the youngest person to be taken into custody is a 12-year-old boy from Florissant and on July 5, a 13-year-old was taken into custody after he was found in possession of a firearm.
In the days leading up to the holiday weekend, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) issued multiple warnings to parents: you will be held responsible for the behavior of your children.
Juveniles that were taken into custody were reunited with their parents, who were then cited for their children’s conduct.
- Thursday, July 3
- Total People Taken Into Custody: 1
- Juveniles: 0
- Citation: Fireworks related
- Total People Taken Into Custody: 1
- Friday, July 4
- Total People Taken Into Custody: 62
- Juveniles: 45
- 8 firearm-related arrests
- Citations range: Discharging/possessing fireworks, resisting arrest, assault on law enforcement, stealing, behavior injurious, trespassing.
- Total People Taken Into Custody: 62
- Saturday, July 5
- Total People Taken Into Custody: 19
- Juveniles: 11
- 4 firearm-related arrests, including a 13-year-old
- Citations range: Discharging/possessing fireworks, behavior injurious, operating ATV within the City, peace disturbance, defacing firearm, felony fleeing
- Total People Taken Into Custody: 19
- Sunday, July 6
- Total People Taken Into Custody: 4
- Juveniles: 2
- Citations range: Discharging fireworks to felony fleeing
- Total People Taken Into Custody: 4
- During two separate arrests, two firearms were seized from adults who were with juveniles
There were isolated incidents on Friday night that included damage to a police SUV from a firework thrown into its window, an officer was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic (no injuries), and another officer sustained minor injuries from having a firework shot at them.
“These are our children as well. We want to drive them towards hope instead of handcuffs,” said SLMPD Chief Robert Tracy during a briefing Sunday evening. “These children need services, some of them need support.”
You can watch the full Sunday evening briefing here: