“All Roads Lead Through Jennings”:

An Examination of a Resilient Ghetto

By

Dennis Ellis

University of Missouri- St. Louis

Introduction

The city of Jennings is a moderately sized municipality in north St. Louis County that

was incorporated in 1946. It borders the cities of St. Louis, Ferguson, Dellwood, Bellefontaine

Neighbors, Pine Lawn, and a few other small municipalities with its main boundaries being

Highway 70 to the south, Goodfellow Boulevard to the east, Highway 367 and Halls Ferry Road

to the north, and West Florissant Avenue to the west. It also feature two small municipalities

generally contained within the city, Flordell Hills and Country Club Hills, each of which

maintains its own government with services. Given these boundaries, it is not surprising that

Jennings is a sort of Mecca for crime both happening in the city and passing through the city. As

St. Louis County Police Officer Smith put it – “All roads lead through Jennings” – a surprising

anecdote for a city of only 3.7 square miles but one that is indicative of the degradation that

Jennings saw for years but also one that could serve on the city seal for the burgeoning and

resurgent community.

Demographics

Jennings has about 14,712 people living in the city limits with the current demographics

consisting of about 89% African Americans and 8.5% non-Hispanic whites a fairly stark contrast

from a decade earlier which was about 78% African Americans and 19% non-Hispanic whites

(U.S. Census Bureau, 2000; 2010). The city has lost about 5000 residents since 1950, with the

most – approximately 3000, leaving between 1970 and 1980; this is a time period which saw

much white flight and deindustrialization from cities such as St. Louis and given Jennings

location relative to St. Louis, specifically North St. Louis, it is not difficult to conject that this

happened here as well.

The median household income 2010-2014 was $27,785 and the mean household income

was $36,450 with the two main earning brackets being $15,000-$24,999 (27%) and $50,000-

$74,999 (17.4%). In terms of age and employment, those aged 25-64 are employed at a rate of

55-66% although the same group has about 75-80% of its population considered to be in the

labor force; this group is unemployed at about a 25% rate. Race and employment show a stark

contrast as African Americans are employed at a 48% rate, although 66% consider themselves in

the labor force and 27% are unemployed while whites are employed 39% rate, with 46% being in

the labor force and 15% unemployed. This is somewhat shocking consider African Americans

out-populate whites in Jennings but a 10-1 ratio but are significantly less employed. Gender also

indicates some contrast as females aged 20-64 outnumber males and even though each has about

75% in the labor force, females are employed at 62% while males are employed at 49% with the

corresponding rates of unemployment being 32% for males and 18% for females. Common

occupations include business and art industries, service industries, sales positions, and health

related occupations with the bulk of those being in support roles and blue-collar positions and

relatively few managerial positions. For those who wish to work close the home, employment is

available at many retail outlets and in healthcare at the private level and in a variety of capacities

in the public level such as schools, corrections, streets, and parks departments. Finally in regards

to finances, about 27.7% of the city lives under the poverty line.

Education in Jennings can be viewed in two facets: (1) adults with a completed

educational career and (2) those currently enrolled in some sort of schooling. Adults with a

completed educational career are represented with 79.6% having at least a high school degree but

only 12.7% having at least a Bachelor’s degree. Degree attainment appears to be concentrated in

those age 64 or less with the best results being age 35-44 although even those numbers have their

limitations at 91% have at least high school degrees but only 19% have a Bachelor’s degree.

Those currently enrolled in school can also be broken down into two strata (1) kindergarten

through 12th grade and (2) those in undergraduate, graduate, or professional programs. The

kindergarten through 12th grade group is represented by about 2500 people with a nearly even

split by grade level and about 93% attending public schools presumably in the Jennings School

District. Those is upper level programs represent about 1000 students with about 900 of those in

undergraduate programs of which 80% attend public universities (such as UMSL). Those

seeking graduate or professional degrees are attending private universities at about a 30% rate.

College attendance does drop off significantly, about 40%, from those attending high school

indicating that post-high school education may not be viewed as particularly important for this

community.

There are 7,471 total households in Jennings and some relatively consistent splits by total

occupancy, owner occupancy, renter occupancy, and household size. In terms of size, 40.1% are

single-person households, 26.5% are dual-person households, 15.9% are three-person

households, and 17.5% are four-person households; these numbers translate nearly identically to

owner occupied and renter occupied households with owner occupied homes being more

common that renter occupied home by a 1.2:1 ratio. Household expenses serve an interesting

purpose here as with the large owner occupant ratio we see a solid of at least $25,000 but with

about 20-25% of owner occupants earning at least $50,000. The housing costs are fairly well

concentrated between $1000-$1500 per month at 25% of properties and the remaining levels of

$500 increments being at about 8.5% each. Housing varies by size and quality but with the

exception of a townhouse are and one newer subdivision most of the homes are older styles

reminiscent of North St. Louis.

The City of Jennings: An Urban Backcloth

Jennings features an urban feel in a suburban county with brick homes and a

community business district filling the main part of town and a large strip mall shopping plaza

sitting on the outskirts near the borders of Ferguson and Dellwood. Amenities include the

spacious and beautiful Koeneman Park, Norwood Hills Country Club, access to multiple

shopping centers and restaurants, and the St. Louis classic and last standing Velvet Freeze Ice

Cream Parlor. A few main streets run through Jennings including the north and south routes on

Jennings Station Road and Lucas and Hunt Road and the east and west routes of West Florissant

Avenue, Halls Ferry Road, Shannon Avenue, Hord Avenue, and McLaren Avenue. Jennings

Station road is seeing some restoration projects both for housing and business and it is the main

access point for anything in the city as all of the east and west roads run through it and it can be

used to move between highways 70 and 367 in a matter of minutes. Not far up from the Jennings

Station exit of Highway 70 is the Jennings Police, Corrections, and Municipal Court building

which houses a full service precinct of the St. Louis County Police Department commanded by

Captain Juan Cox. Saint Louis County Police took over policing in Jennings in 2011 after their

former police department was disbanded due to accusations of corruption and racism. The

building also houses the Jennings Department of Corrections which holds municipal and federal

prisoners with a maximum capacity of about forty inmates (Jennings City Website, 2016).

Finally, municipal ordinances are enforced in Jennings Municipal Court for anything from

speeding to lack of trash service. A further short drive from the Police Building up to West

Florissant takes one through a residential part of town filled with small homes either in brick or

siding style, a few fields, and various side streets leading to more homes; the bulk of these are

brick, urban style homes but siding style homes are peppered it as one moves west through the

city. At or near the intersection of West Florissant ones finds a local auto shop, Mobil gas

station, the site of the former Schnucks Market, and the local favorite Roper’s Ribs. Continuing

towards McLaren Avenue one sees more of the same style homes, an apartment complex, some

empty businesses, a convenience store, and a few small storefronts featuring loan-shark

businesses and tax-filing businesses. Between McLaren and Hord are a few homes, a

neighborhood tavern, a Metro bus stop and an open space on the property of city hall assumed to

be used for various community events. Between Hord and Shannon there are more residential

homes and a mortuary. Continuing towards the business district and Highway 367, one of the

first important sights is Good News Baptist Church, a large congregation that also uses their

building for a drive-through food pantry. One of the main business districts is centered right

before Halls Ferry Road and features a dollar store, a McDonalds, a few restaurants and auto

parts stores, and a Walgreens. Finally, along this corridor are more homes as well as some fields

and recent construction giving credence to the rebirth of this city that seems set of becoming a

major hub on the Mid-North of the St. Louis Area. Moving west on West Florissant brings us to

one of the more urbanized and walkable parts of the city featuring beauty and nails shops,

various special interest markets, a few churches, and the Velvet Freeze all peppered by brick

homes and this is the lead in to the Buzz Westfall Shopping Center which features a few fast

food restaurants, a new Schnucks Market, and until recently featured a Target Department Store.

This is one of the main shopping hubs in the area, and sits on the border of Ferguson and

Dellwood, a short drive from Highway 70, and across from Emerson Electric. This spot is quite

conducive to theft crimes and was the staging area for the police during the Ferguson protests as

it also is situated a few moments from the Ferguson Market. Moving west down Halls Ferry

Road leads us through a residential corridor to a commercial area that is considered part of the

Castle Point neighborhood but this road is important as it also leads to Koeneman Park. The park

is a gorgeous recreation area which features balls fields, open fields, a playground, and a large

lake. Its tucked location between a residential area and the tree-lined Lucas and Hunt Road make

it a great spot for recreation. All of these features make this city one with the potential to be great

and the really lead the way in the North County-North City rebirth but much work is still to be

done.

The City of Jennings: Crime: 2010-2016

Crime in Jennings is part of the lifestyle as this small city has long dealt with a large

number and variety of crimes. The city’s crime statistics mirror those of other nearby

communities but there has been a fairly substantial decrease in the past five years and that seems

at least partly attributable to police services being taken over by the St. Louis County Police

Department (SLCPD) and the aggressive tactics of former Captain Jeff Fuesting (RiverFront

Times, 2011). Of course, not all is down but substantial drop-off’s have been seen in aggravated

assault, theft, motor vehicle theft and most impressively burglary since 2010-2011 as recorded in

their 2015 crime reports (St. Louis County Police Department, 2016). Crime in Jennings has

again remained stable this year compared to recent years with larcenies and burglaries leading

the way, followed by aggravated assaults and motor vehicle thefts. The majority of these crimes

take place in three broad locations: on Jennings Station Road, West Florissant Avenue, and in the

southeast part of the city bordering Pine Lawn and the St. Louis neighborhood Walnut Park

West. The locations on Jennings Station and West Florissant are not terribly surprising as these

are the main areas of commerce and city life and offer quick routes out of the city limits and

towards highways.

The levels of violent crime are intriguing though as Jennings has produced five homicide

incidents recorded this year with six victims and three of the incidents taking place on the

residential street College Avenue, up from one for all of 2015 (St. Louis County Police, 2016).

This is not terribly surprising though as St. Louis and St. Louis County have combined for over

200 homicides this year alone with the bulk of these concentrated on the North City and North

County areas (St. Louis Post Dispatch, 2016). Robbery and aggravated assault have come in at

about fifty robberies and one hundred aggravated assaults which would put them fairly well on

pace with recent years (St. Louis County Police, 2016). Narcotic violations are also an issue in

Jennings and mast happen in the eastern part of the city bordering St. Louis, along West

Florissant Avenue, and along Lucas and Hunt Road leading into the Buzz Westfall Plaza. One

officer even mentioned the commonality of drug violations in Jennings saying he often makes

three to five drug related stops, investigations, and arrests per shift. Motor vehicle theft is another

issue as approximately 100 vehicles have been stolen in Jennings thus far this year again often in

these same areas of the eastern part of the city and along Jennings Station, Lucas and Hunt, and

West Florissant. These roads are perhaps part of the issue as they feature many businesses where

one might park and enter a business to complete a quick exchange but return to find their car

having been stolen. Vandalism, arson, and simple assaults are also common in Jennings and a

spread throughout the city and given the condition of some of the areas, the vandalism is not

surprising (St. Louis County Police, 2016). Larceny is one of the bigger issues in Jennings as is

common in many business districts however Officer Smith discussed a particular situation that

was intriguing:

“The Target store closed abruptly in August. Crews showed up and within three days had cleaned

out the entire store from merchandise to decorations without even a hint that they were coming. We were

told that the store had been losing $650,000 per year due to theft although that is not confirmed”

This story painted the picture of the area quite well at least regarding its current state and

especially in this shopping area and the story was even detailed in the St. Louis Post Dispatch

(2016) as being abrupt and surprising given the store was only ten years old although it did not

speak to any dollar values of the theft. Overall Part I crimes and the Part II crimes of simple

assault, vandalism, and narcotic violations permeate Jennings throughout the city but cluster on

the eastern and western borders of the city.

Officer Smith offered a unique view of the problems in the area not seen in the crime

maps or statistics. Beyond the target story he discussed an abundance or domestic disputes and

disturbances which accounts for the large numbers of aggravated assaults; not surprisingly he

mentioned many of these being repeat calls and this is somewhat referenced by SLCPD in their

Jennings Journal (2016) with a feature on domestic abuse and the cycle of violence. In discussing

residential burglary, he mentioned two items which he was surprised we still available for theft

due to the commonality of theft attempts: air-conditioning unit and copper. These are common

targets especially in older communities and could serve as a good theme for some crime

prevention efforts. In terms of their narcotic issues he indicated that much of the drug traffic is

people coming into Jennings to buy drugs - a hearkening back to the ‘all roads lead through

Jennings’ anecdote. He also discussed limited gang activity and referred to such activity as

mostly juvenile delinquency with minimal involvement in the normal conceptions of gang

activity such as violence and drug trade. Finally, he discussed the involvement of the city council

and government in pushing for crime control and specifically one councilperson who would

patrol neighborhoods and record and report derelict vehicles that he thought should be removed.

Crime Control in Jennings: Private, Parochial, and Public

Crime control in Jennings is strong and the neighborhood, despite its high levels of crime

has come together to try and reduce crime through neighborhood watches, citizen-police

academies, many police-community relations (PCR) events, and becoming the home of the

SLCPD Police Athletic League (SLCPD-PAL). The residents were so fed up with crime that

they booted their own police department in 2011 and contracted with SLCPD and recently

removed a mayor who was pushing for non-renewal of the SLCPD contract. It appears by

accounts of the residents, the city government, and the police that Jennings is a burgeoning

community and that most crime is committed by outsiders.

Private controls are relatively strong in Jennings with residents having at least an ‘eye

out’ for each other although there appears to be more people indoors than out as compared to

some other nearby neighborhoods (Hunter, 1995). While some properties in the area are in poor

shape, this is related more so to age than crime or neighborhood retreat. Private controls are

further enhanced by the neighborhoods involvement in various social institution (parochial)

groups – the small community is committed to one another and has a small town feel placed in

the heart of St. Louis.

Parochial controls might be the strongest of all in Jennings and come from four main

sources- schools, churches, neighborhood watch, and SLCPD-PAL (Hunter, 1995). Jennings has

been growing into a strong school system through the leadership of Dr. Art McCoy,

Superintendent. The district has improved their accreditation scores by 25% in just three years

and is ranked in the top fifty districts in the entire St. Louis Metropolitan Area (Jennings School

District, 2016; Niche.com, 2016). The district operates eight public schools including two

college preparation schools and serves over 3,000 students with a history going back 125 years

(Jennings School District, 2016). All is not perfect though as Officer Smith discussed the district

and its lack of bus service, regular fights, and the juvenile sign of disrespect for the police of

playing in the middle of the street until forced to move – he did seem to think the was

substantially less of this than when he came to Jennings in 2011. Churches play a smaller but

important role, most specifically the aforementioned Good News Baptist Church and its food

pantry but there a many other churches in Jennings and nearby, largely of the Baptist

denomination. Neighborhood Watch is also strong in Jennings and the community holds an open

monthly meeting at the Tharp Civic Center and signage is posted throughout the community.

Resident and Officer Smith all felt that the watch was strong in terms of being proactive and they

even have a few point people who maintain direct contact with the police. Perhaps the most

intriguing parochial control in Jennings is that of the Gary Gore Community Education Center

which is serving as a community center for youth and as a base of operations for the SLCPD-

PAL which aims to bring together law enforcement and youth for athletic events and education

in a manner that builds relationships. This along with a variety or PCR event such as bar-be-

que’s and walk-and-talks have helped the police department in Jennings to building relationships

with their residents and to focus their efforts on the wants and needs of the community and

makes them truly representative of community policing.

Regarding policing – the main public control in Jennings – one finds an exemplary

community policing team lead by current Captain Juan Cox, also a founder of SLCPD-PAL

(Hunter, 1995). Until 2011, Jennings maintained its own Police Department but amid accusations

of racism and corruption it was dissolved and a contract with SLCPD was negotiated. When

SLCPD took over, at the time led by Captain Fuesting, they began by executing search and arrest

warrants for those suspected to be in the area and began using a focused deterrence and hot-spot

policing approach resulting in many arrests and seemingly a somewhat successful deterrent

effect (RiverFront Times, 2011). Officer Smith, one of the original SLCPD Officers to be

assigned to Jennings discussed the initial transition:

“When we first went in there we were each making 12-15 arrests a day, mostly of people coming

through from St. Louis, Ferguson, Pine Lawn, or Dellwood. We were writing almost twice as many

citations and within a few weeks people got the message – SLCPD meant business and had already taken a

stake in the community.”

Captain Fuesting also helped lead the department’s transition to using HunchLab, a

predictive policing software, that has since become a popular tool for hot-spot efforts and

directed patrols (The Marshall Project, 2016). Even in the transition from one captain to another,

things have gone smoothly and Jennings seems to be in good hands with a police department that

can focus on the neighborhood and its residents rather than those who seem to be lurking.

Conclusions

Jennings is a fascinating community with a blighted past and bright future and it may one

day be one of the top places to be in North County. It is effected by its neighbors though and the

overlap of governments in Jennings and in the area seem to cause frustrations for residents and

commuters of the area. Crime has dropped in some respects, remained constant in others, and it

seemingly rising in still others but this may be largely related to the “Ferguson Effect” as North

St. Louis and Ferguson have seen substantial increases in crime recently and Jennings may be

feeling residual effects of these increases. There is much promise here though and if their

neighboring communities can be controlled, then Jennings can become a hub of North County.

All roads do lead through Jennings and the future of the city is in the hands of its neighbors.

References

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