New plan could be Westport’s best hope for reducing gun violence
A proposal to vacate Westport sidewalks and allow checks for weapons during select hours has understandably generated controversy. But it may be the popular entertainment district’s best hope for stemming the late-night violence that has plagued the area.
The plan to privatize sidewalks, which will be considered by the planning and zoning committee Wednesday, is a scaled-back approach from an earlier effort to vacate the streets.
With violence continuing to escalate in Westport, doing nothing is not an option.
In 2016, there were 16 gun offenses in the Westport Community Improvement District. During the first 10 months of 2017, there were 65 gun offenses, an astronomical jump that has affected businesses in the district. More people have become fearful of the area, even during the week when the streets are emptier.
The uptick in gun violence occurred after the Missouri legislature loosened concealed carry laws, making it far more difficult for police to take weapons from people who could pose a threat. With little chance of changing state gun laws, Westport business owners and local leaders have had to consider creative approaches to making the streets safer.
This revised proposal deserves approval, in part because of the clawback provisions that are included. If this plan does not reduce the number of weapons offenses in the area, the city can reclaim its rights over the sidewalks with 30 days’ notice. Conducting the weapons checks fairly and consistently will be essential to this proposal’s success.
Under the plan, sidewalks would be vacated between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., when barricades are set up to block the streets on Friday and Saturday nights during the busiest summer months and during special events. Patrons would be asked to enter the district at one of four checkpoints and pass through a metal detector. If the sensors alert, the person could be checked further.
The winter calm has now come to Westport, and the raucous crowds of summer have thinned. But the gun violence that has vexed the business district this year has continued.
A man was shot dead last week as he and his boyfriend walked home, victims of a street robbery. Zach Pearce cooperated with the gunman’s demands, but the robber fired and left him to die.
As synonymous as Westport is with bars, restaurants, vibrant businesses and celebratory occasions, it has unfortunately become a place where criminals go.
Reclaiming Westport from the threat of those with criminal intent is the goal. If this plan doesn’t meet that objective, the city will be forced to take a hard look at other potentially unpopular measures.
But vacating sidewalks to allow checks for weapons is a proposal that deserves a chance to work.
This story was originally published December 12, 2017 at 6:16 PM with the headline "New plan could be Westport’s best hope for reducing gun violence."