U.S. Marshal Service visits East St. Louis, St. Louis to curb violent crime

EAST ST. Louis, Ill. (First Alert 4) - On Monday, United States Marshals Deputy Director Mark Pitella visited East St. Louis to discuss a federal operation geared to combat violent crime in the St. Louis area.

The goal is to get East St. Louis and St. Louis City off their most dangerous cities list.

The director participated in a private roundtable with community leaders, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, clergy, law enforcement, citizens, and public servants at East St. Louis City Hall.

“The reduction of violent crime is a collaborative effort,” Pittella told First Alert 4. “It’s instrumental that we use community and civic leaders to understand better how we can reduce violent crime in their communities.”

The initiative is called Operation North Star. Pittella said the U.S. Marshals Service launched the initiative in other cities and it resulted 6,500 fugitives arrested and 900 guns taken off the streets.

Pittella added that federal officials are looking to improve avenues in which witnesses can report crimes, but remain anonymous. He said getting people with information on crimes to cooperate with authorities is still a big issue because many in cities like St. Louis and East St. Louis fear retaliation.