Mayor Francis Slay and the St. Louis Police Department are working with Washington University design students to assist crime-prone properties.
About a dozen undergraduates studied local businesses and residences known for high incidences of crime and presented their findings Wednesday at Police Headquarters.
St. Louis Public Safety Director Eddie Roth says working with students provides a fresh approach to fighting crime.
“Security isn’t just about bars on windows and removing bushes," Roth said. "It’s about making things that look beautiful and also help you be safe and feel safe.”
The recommendations included increasing visibility, through better lighting and lines of sight, restricting entryways, and promoting green space. Roth says a manual will be produced from the study to help local property owners design safer spaces.