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A surge in violent crime on both sides of Missouri has prompted Gov. Mike Parson to announce the expansion of Kansas City-based Operation LeGend to St. Louis. Parson revealed plans to expand in a Thursday news conference in St. Louis alongside local and federal officials.
The operation was created and named in honor of 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while sleeping in his Kansas City bedroom in June.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice sent more than 200 federal agents and law enforcement officials from the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals office to Kansas City, reports KMBC 9 News.
The operation’s mission in Kansas City has since proved fruitful, the U.S. attorney’s office reporting agents have made 97 arrests last week, citing federal charges in 11 cases.
“Violent crime in St. Louis stands in the way of personal safety and opportunity,” U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said. “Parents deserve a safe neighborhood to raise their children. Police officers should be able to do their jobs without fear for their safety. And businesses need an environment where they can create jobs around them.”
Parson, Blunt and other officials believe that the positive results that have been seen in Kansas City can soon be seen in St. Louis with the operation’s expansion.
“By expanding Operation LeGend to St. Louis, local law enforcement will have additional support to get more violent criminals off the streets,” Blunt said.
Related News:
KMBC 9 News: Gov. Mike Parson announces plans to expand Operation LeGend to St. Louis
St. Louis Public Radio: St. Louis Region Gets More Federal Agents To Fight Violent Crime