Interesting article in St Louis Post, regarding the safety of the city after the volleyball player was hit by a car of a guy who should have already been locked up.
Attempting to post link to article here. https://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/ben-frederickson/benfred-safety-in-st-louis-is-a-sports-story-and-the-topic-can-t-be/article_a332c606-556a-59d1-be8b-17bc821f9678.html
Mike Reis commented several times this morning on the article on Twitter, saying he doesn’t feel safe in St Louis and that The Valley should seriously consider moving the event.
Supporter of the Fab 4: Scottie Ebube, Foster Wonders, AJ Ferguson & Cade Hornecker.
They’re the ones that can get us where we haven’t been in 15 years.
You should. Stay out of North St Louis and you will be just fine.
That tragic accident is not a daily occurence in St. Louis, particularly in broad daylight. Nothing that family could have done would have allowed them to avoid the terrible situation and it's truly awful. St. Louis is not as bad as the media makes it seem but there are areas that are more problematic that bleed into downtown at times.
the bobber has seen it all.
https://www.traveloffpath.com/this-is-the-most-dangerous-city-for-tourists-in-america/
That article clearly points out towards the bottom the seedier suburbs of St. Louis City County (not St. Louis City - the actual city itself even). The great majority of crime attributed to that article isn't happening downtown.the bobber has seen it all.
https://www.traveloffpath.com/this-is-the-most-dangerous-city-for-tourists-in-america/
Part of the problem is “catch and release”, the perp had 50 prior arrests. STL is now practicing no cash bail.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
I have attended Arch Madness consistently over the years, walked around St. Louis a bunch, and have never been overly creeped out. There's been times there have been some sketchy characters out and about (not just Wichita fans 😉 ) who are probably mentally ill/addicted, but especially if you're with a group and generally alert of your surroundings, you're very, very likely going to be A-OK. Now could something bad happen in St. Louis (or pretty much any major city) with some bad luck? Of course, but I don't choose to dwell on worst-case scenarios that are quite unlikely.
Anyways, I'm sure this is the conversation SIU and the Valley want to be having a week before the tournament. 😆
the idiot city attorney behind this issue is soon to be forcibly removed from her post - that will change in short order hopefully.Part of the problem is “catch and release”, the perp had 50 prior arrests. STL is now practicing no cash bail.
There is a police station two blocks from Enterprise center. So large police presence around the arena.
I always knew that it was much safer in Washington Park and Brooklyn. 😀
Since moving back to the Midwest almost 20 years ago, I've attended Arch Madness Thursday - Sunday every year but one plus Covid year. I live a couple hours from St. Louis and visit various times of the year, day and night. I've never had a problem being in downtown St. Louis or nearby neighborhoods going to games, bars, restaurants or other attractions. Since most people come with friends or family, seldom are you alone but I've never found being alone an issue either.
Sure there are areas of the city that have much greater incidents of crime but you just don't go there. As pointed out there are people with mental heath and drugs issues but you learn to avoid them. Besides you will find that in any metropolitan area (and probably in Carbondale). It is part life.
I'm not sure where Mike Reis would be going where he would feel so unsafe. I wonder where he thinks would be a much better. If you've been to places like Kansas City, Indianapolis, Nashville or other Midwest cities you can find the same issues.
I’ve been going to the tournament for 15+ years and have never felt unsafe. I’ve always been traveling in a group as well. Not trying to dismiss anyone’s concern, but the options outside of STL seem to be limited.
Reis mentioned Indy, Chicago, and KC as alternatives. KC has to be thrown out at this point. MVC footprint has only further moved east, that makes the drive longer for the majority of fan bases and I honestly don’t see the draw of the city itself. Not that St. Louis is a huge draw, but at least it’s closer for most schools. I think you would see a drop in attendance if it moved to KC (I know it would be tougher for me to make that trip every year like I do for STL).
Chicago and Indy seem like reasonable markets, but what would their willingness be and where would we play? We can’t even fill the lower bowl of the Enterprise center right now. Pacers stadium is about the same size and the United Center is bigger. They are also sharing the Big Ten Tournament so who knows if they would even want the event.
I go to around 10 Cardinals games per year and maybe around 5 Blues games in downtown and occasionally to Arch Madness. Literally not less than 50 times total. I’ve never felt unsafe. I have, however, felt unsafe in downtown Carbondale as a student once or twice. This is overblown.
STL can certainly be dangerous in certain areas, but no, you aren’t going to be shot on your short walk to the Enterprise Center. And as always with any city, walk with the pack to your hotel or parking garage.
As someone who goes to St Louis roughly 10-15 times a year, I’ve never had much of a problem. But it always helps to avoid certain areas and just be aware of your surroundings in general.
I can’t imagine any scenario where they would move it. It’s just not happening, folks.
Chicago is WAY too big to host this event. STL is the perfect size.
And for Saluki fans, that home court advantage we always used to have at Arch Madness would be gone.
BUT, in the case of Reis, who could be coming out of the building downtown late at night after the crowds have left, I can see his point of view too.
Supporter of the Fab 4: Scottie Ebube, Foster Wonders, AJ Ferguson & Cade Hornecker.
They’re the ones that can get us where we haven’t been in 15 years.
I’ve been going to the tournament for 15+ years and have never felt unsafe. I’ve always been traveling in a group as well. Not trying to dismiss anyone’s concern, but the options outside of STL seem to be limited.
Reis mentioned Indy, Chicago, and KC as alternatives. KC has to be thrown out at this point. MVC footprint has only further moved east, that makes the drive longer for the majority of fan bases and I honestly don’t see the draw of the city itself. Not that St. Louis is a huge draw, but at least it’s closer for most schools. I think you would see a drop in attendance if it moved to KC (I know it would be tougher for me to make that trip every year like I do for STL).
Chicago and Indy seem like reasonable markets, but what would their willingness be and where would we play? We can’t even fill the lower bowl of the Enterprise center right now. Pacers stadium is about the same size and the United Center is bigger. They are also sharing the Big Ten Tournament so who knows if they would even want the event.
This debate over moving the tournament bubbles up every couple years and it has remained in St. Louis because it has and continues to make the most sense for this league. And arguably even moreso now with another substantial fan base (Murray) a close drive away.
I’m sure some might advocate for Nashville with the Belmont addition. I guess that’d be my second choice, but a lot of fans in Chicago area, Iowa, etc. probably would have to fly.
