In the News
St. Louis Business Journal: Amid questions, north St. Louis grant recipients to be vetted, officials say
Spencer questioned why awardees in the Northside Grant Program were not vetted before they were announced, stating that vetting should at least include, whether or not it’s a real business, whether or not it’s located in north St. Louis, whether or not its located in an abandoned building, whether or not that business owner is willing to share any level of details about what they are going to do with the funds.
Spencer questioned why awardees in the Northside Grant Program were not vetted before they were announced, stating that vetting should at least include, whether or not it’s a real business, whether or not it’s located in north St. Louis, whether or not its located in an abandoned building, whether or not that business owner is willing to share any level of details about what they are going to do with the funds.
Fox 2 Now: St. Louis trash woes reach retired teacher’s backyard
“We need to get serious about hiring the people that we need to pick up the trash on a regular basis and right now our refuse department is woefully understaffed, but we need to make sure that they have the right equipment too,” Spencer said.
“We need to get serious about hiring the people that we need to pick up the trash on a regular basis and right now our refuse department is woefully understaffed, but we need to make sure that they have the right equipment too,” Spencer said.
5 On Your Side: Spencer’s gun bill “allowed officers to seize” guns on a downtown rooftop overlooking July 4 parade route
Officers arrested Trentston Sappington, a 23-year-old from Granite City, who was found armed and observing the large crowds gathered for the festivities. Sappington, who lacked a concealed carry permit, violated the city's new open carry ban. This ordinance, introduced by 8th Ward Alderwoman Cara Spencer, enabled officers to confiscate his weapons and hold them as evidence while prosecutors review potential charges.
Last Thursday, thousands of people celebrating Independence Day along the parade route in downtown St. Louis were unknowingly being watched by an armed wanted man. St. Louis police responded to a report of a suspicious individual on the rooftop of a parking garage at 604 Pine Street, which overlooks Kiener Plaza and Market Street, areas bustling with paradegoers and protesters.
Officers arrested Trentston Sappington, a 23-year-old from Granite City, who was found armed and observing the large crowds gathered for the festivities. Sappington, who lacked a concealed carry permit, violated the city's new open carry ban. This ordinance, introduced by 8th Ward Alderwoman Cara Spencer, enabled officers to confiscate his weapons and hold them as evidence while prosecutors review potential charges.
5 On Your Side (Video): Alderwoman Cara Spencer joins 'The Record'
Alderwoman Cara Spencer talks about her proposed gun legislation and the response to it. She also discusses a proposed water rate hike.
Alderwoman Cara Spencer talks about her proposed gun legislation and the response to it. She also discusses a proposed water rate hike.
St. Louis Post -Dispatch: Cara Spencer kicks off bid to be St. Louis mayor. ‘Our city is at a crossroads.’
Spencer pledged to get “the basics right again.” “We have to rebuild trust in the functions of our city government.” She emphasized that she could turn things around – pointing to her recent successes as alderwoman – open-carry legislation, redevelopment of downtown vacant buildings. She pledged to make basic services, like trash pick-up and answering 911 calls her top priority.
Spencer pledged to get “the basics right again.” “We have to rebuild trust in the functions of our city government.” She emphasized that she could turn things around – pointing to her recent successes as alderwoman – open-carry legislation, redevelopment of downtown vacant buildings. She pledged to make basic services, like trash pick-up and answering 911 calls her top priority.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Cara Spencer kicks off bid to be St. Louis mayor. ‘Our city is at a crossroads.’
Alderwoman Cara Spencer kicked off her second campaign for mayor Tuesday night, telling a room full of supporters at the old Post-Dispatch building downtown that she’ll get the basics right again.
Alderwoman Cara Spencer kicked off her second campaign for mayor Tuesday night, telling a room full of supporters at the old Post-Dispatch building downtown that she’ll get the basics right again.
St. Louis Public Radio: Alderwoman Cara Spencer plans second run for St. Louis mayor
An alderwoman from south St. Louis is taking a second crack at the mayor’s office. “I believe in St. Louis - but we have a lot of work to do,” 8th Ward Alderwoman Cara Spencer wrote in a Facebook post announcing her candidacy on Thursday. “Our city isn’t meeting the needs of her people.”
An alderwoman from south St. Louis is taking a second crack at the mayor’s office.
“I believe in St. Louis - but we have a lot of work to do,” 8th Ward Alderwoman Cara Spencer wrote in a Facebook post announcing her candidacy on Thursday. “Our city isn’t meeting the needs of her people.”
First Alert 4: Video showing line of cars running red light downtown shows need for more traffic enforcement, aldermen say
A video showing multiple cars running a red light in downtown St. Louis has prompted calls for increased traffic enforcement. Alderwoman Cara Spencer emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to address traffic violations and enhance public safety in the area. “We’re absolutely not doing enough. We have a pedestrian fatality rate three times the national average. We have lost 11 pedestrians just this year and it is only April,” says Spencer .”When you get pulled over for recklessly driving, [I propose we] put a boot on your car to stop the car from continuing to drive recklessly and endangering lives.”
A video showing multiple cars running a red light in downtown St. Louis has prompted calls for increased traffic enforcement. Alderwoman Cara Spencer emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to address traffic violations and enhance public safety in the area. “We’re absolutely not doing enough. We have a pedestrian fatality rate three times the national average. We have lost 11 pedestrians just this year and it is only April,” says Spencer .”When you get pulled over for recklessly driving, [I propose we] put a boot on your car to stop the car from continuing to drive recklessly and endangering lives.”
Riverfront Times: Alderwoman's Plan to Target Reckless Drivers: Let Cops Boot Their Cars
A new bill introduced at the St. Louis Board of Aldermen would give police the power to boot the cars of drivers they deem “reckless.” Ward 8 Alderwoman Cara Spencer says the move is necessary to prevent more pedestrian deaths in the city.
A new bill introduced at the St. Louis Board of Aldermen would give police the power to boot the cars of drivers they deem “reckless.” Ward 8 Alderwoman Cara Spencer says the move is necessary to prevent more pedestrian deaths in the city.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: St. Louis alderwoman wants reckless drivers booted on the spot
Alderwoman Cara Spencer said more needs to be done to stop out-of-control driving after another high-profile fatal crash downtown. She proposed a bill to allow police who stop a reckless driver to immediately remove them from behind the wheel and instead of issuing a ticket, boot the car.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: St. Louis tees up eminent domain against Railway Exchange owner
Spencer filed legislation to enable City Hall to take possession of the Railway Exchange Building now that it has been condemned as a threat to public safety. Spencer’s BB130 allows the city to use eminent domain for the building and the garage just south of it. BB123 allows the Building Division to board up vacant buildings larger than 500,000 square feet that pose “significant” public safety concerns with steel plates, hire security and bill the owner.
Spencer filed legislation to enable City Hall to take possession of the Railway Exchange Building now that it has been condemned as a threat to public safety. Spencer’s BB130 allows the city to use eminent domain for the building and the garage just south of it. BB123 allows the Building Division to board up vacant buildings larger than 500,000 square feet that pose “significant” public safety concerns with steel plates, hire security and bill the owner.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Editorial): Jones' gun plan won't solve the crisis. She should take the fight to Jefferson City.
The Post-Dispatch Editorial Staff takes issue with a proposal by Mayor Jones to rid the city’s streets of “military-grade” weapons and labels it a “misfire.” Comparing Jones’ plan to Cara Spencer’s, they claim the one Jones proposes is clearly illegal and will then require the city to defend it in court, while they praise Spencer’s plan as a victory.
The Post-Dispatch Editorial Staff takes issue with a proposal by Mayor Jones to rid the city’s streets of “military-grade” weapons and labels it a “misfire.” Comparing Jones’ plan to Cara Spencer’s, they claim the one Jones proposes is clearly illegal and will then require the city to defend it in court, while they praise Spencer’s plan as a victory.
5 On Your Side: St. Louis alderwoman introduces bill banning openly carrying guns without a permit
8th Ward Alderwoman Cara Spencer introduced Board Bill 29 to ban open carry of firearms in St. Louis for individuals without concealed carry permits, aiming to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety. The bill utilizes a state law exception allowing local regulation of open carry and mirrors measures in Kansas City.
8th Ward Alderwoman Cara Spencer introduced Board Bill 29 to ban open carry of firearms in St. Louis for individuals without concealed carry permits, aiming to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety. The bill utilizes a state law exception allowing local regulation of open carry and mirrors measures in Kansas City.