Tishaura Jones wants to reimagine policing in St. Louis. With rising crime and a push to defund, can she do it? Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY
ST. LOUIS – Mayor Tishaura Jones peels off her bedazzled facemask while standing outside downtown s St. Patrick Center, preparing to address the crowd about the facility s new women s center.
On one side of a 6-foot black steel fence closest to the Catholic-based homeless shelter s entrance are clergy, dignitaries and other stakeholders.
The other side is home to a large gravel lot where about a dozen homeless people – mostly men – sleep, wander and watch the mayor.