ST. LOUIS — To try to curb late-night partying and “cruising†on downtown parking lots when they’re empty, some aldermen are pushing to require fencing, landscaping or other barriers to keep vehicles out when the lots aren’t running.
The proposed legislation is the latest part of ongoing efforts by authorities to tamp down the nighttime noise, rowdiness, traffic violations and crime downtown that picked up during the pandemic last year.
The gatherings on lots are especially a problem during warmer-weather months, supporters of the bill say.
“The goal is to basically restrict ingress and egress on these lots when they’re not opened for use and are not being monitored on site or remotely,†said the bill’s sponsor, Alderman Jack Coatar of the 7th Ward.
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Coatar said while some lots already have such barriers, others don’t.
A co-sponsor, Alderman James Page of the 5th Ward, said the problems move from lot to lot and sometimes includes the firing of guns and resulting injuries.
And, he said, “along with the partying comes loud, loud noise.†The launching of increasingly powerful fireworks is a special problem around the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve, Page added.
“That’s a real challenge downtown because it’s so dense,†he said, noting that fireworks can set dumpsters on fire.
And although the bill isn’t designed to deal with the spate of recent vehicle break-ins on lots during operating hours, Page and city Building Commissioner Frank Oswald said the proposed new barriers could make it more difficult for those responsible to gain access.
“There’s a possibility, not a guarantee,†Page said.
In addition to the barriers, the bill would require lots to submit security plans to be reviewed by police and approved by the building commissioner.
And if there are two or more “security incidents†in a 30-day period, based on 911 calls and police reports, the city could begin a process to revoke a lot’s permit.
While the bill would apply citywide, Page said the gatherings on lots after hours are a downtown issue.
Page says he hasn’t gotten any feedback yet from parking operators on the bill, but Coatar has. “They don’t like it,†he said. “It’s obviously an increase in cost for them.â€
David Sweeney, a lobbyist for some parking operators, could not be reached for comment Thursday. A hearing has yet to be scheduled on the measure.
As for car break-ins, City Treasurer Adam Layne’s office said there were about 30 reported on lots near Enterprise Center on Tuesday night during a Blues game, including four incidents on a lot managed by the office.
A city police spokeswoman, Evita Caldwell, said police have placed mobile surveillance cameras in the Enterprise Center area and are working with the Blues for additional coverage by officers on game nights.
The treasurer’s office said its “roving security†is increasing its patrol area on event nights.
Meanwhile, Oswald said his office has sent a letter of violation to one privately run lot that had several vehicles broken into this week.
He said the lot acknowledged violating a city regulation that requires lots to have an attendant on duty during the duration of a sports or concert event. If a similar violation occurs in the future, he said, his office could seek to condemn the facility or take other action.
That regulation was imposed by the city in 2011 following a similar rash of break-ins at lots downtown. Another move announced at the time, requiring lots to be gated and locked when not open, was not implemented, Oswald said.
