St. Louis Security Company Sees Results After Patrolling Abandoned Railway Exchange Building

Credit: KSDK

The City of St. Louis contracted a private security company to enhance safety around the abandoned Railway Exchange building in the downtown area back in June 2024. That company is now reporting a significant crime decrease since taking over security patrol services.

Citizens Guard Security (CGS) was selected to patrol both the main Railway Exchange building and a nearby parking lot for the foreseeable future, aiming to address ongoing security concerns.

A news release from the St. Louis Mayor's office states that CGS will provide “a strong visible presence to deter and prevent crime before it occurs.” The building, which has been vacant for several years, has experienced frequent break-ins and fires.

Credit: KSDK

Previously, FOX 2 reported that Hudson Holdings, the Florida-based owners of the building, ceased funding security services last year. Since then, St. Louis city officials have pursued eminent domain as part of a plan to take control and redevelop the property.

In late June, the St. Louis Development Corporation sent Hudson Holdings a letter, notifying them of plans to acquire the property through the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority.

At the same time, the St. Louis Department of Public Safety enlisted CGS to bolster security efforts.

As of September, Citizens Guard Security (CGS) reports that they have successfully eliminated easy access to the Railway Exchange building. Since then, no unauthorized individuals have entered the building over the past three months. Furthermore, the average number of weekly calls to law enforcement has dropped significantly, from 30 to just 3. Despite these improvements, graffiti remains an ongoing issue as the city continues its efforts to acquire and redevelop the property.