Opponents of St. Louis local control file suit
From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Lobbyist Money Help  

Opponents of St. Louis local control file suit

Date: March 24, 2011
By: Theo Keith
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
The plan to give St. Louis control of its own police department now faces a court fight.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Leaders of the St. Louis Police Officers Association have filed a lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court.

The suit says ballot measures to put police control in the hands of the city are unfair and deceptive.

Here's association spokesman Jeff Roorda.

Actuality:  ROORDA3.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "What we're really talking about here is political control. It's a power grab by the folks across the street in City Hall to try to control the police department."

The suit doesn't address a bill sitting in a Senate committee that would also put the city in charge of its police.

That's after the House voted to end state control, an arrangement that's been in place since the Civil War.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
A St. Louis Democrat brushed off the impact of a lawsuit against giving St. Louis control of its police.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Representative Jamilah Nasheed says the St. Louis Police Officers Association suit won't matter if Missouri's legislature acts first.

The suit is only against plans to make voters decide.

The House has already approved a police control bill over opponents' objections.

Actuality:  NASHEED8.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "People here in the city of St. Louis want local control and are going to continue fighting for local control until they get it."

The bill needs Senate approval, and Gov. Jay Nixon has said he's not convinced about its benefits.

If it doesn't get signed into law, voters would need to approve one of the ballot measures, which now face a legal challenge.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
Opponents of giving control of St. Louis Police back to the city have filed suit, saying voters will be misled.
RunTime:  0:37
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: St. Louis Police Officers Association leaders filed the lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court.

Spokesman Jeff Roorda says the city's estimate of $7.8 million in savings is overblown.

Actuality:  ROORDA2.WAV
Run Time:  00:05
Description: "There's just no clear answers. They're dealing with fuzzy math here."

The officers' suit is against ballot measures to approve the plan.

Voters wouldn't need to decide if legislators do it first.

The House has voted to give control back to St. Louis for the first time since the Civil War.

A Senate committee will take up that bill next week, when lawmakers return from spring break.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.