Alvin Parks Jr.

Youth Violence in East St. Louis, Mayor Parks: We Cannot Tolerate It

Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards and Don Marsh — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:08:34 +0000

Less than one week ago East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks announced a list of new measures in an attempt to curb recent violence in the city. Among the new rules is a curfew for all youth after 10:00 p.m. A ban from wearing royal blue or bright red clothing was also in effect for all men though the Mayor has since backed down.

Host Don Marsh talks with multiple guests about the new measures which stem from a deadly weekend in which an 18 year old man was stabbed to death and three young men died after being shot in the parking lot of a local club.

Parks: 'Almost War-Like Situation' In East St. Louis Warrants Strict Curfew

Maria Altman — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:05:45 +0000

East St. Louis’ mayor has put a strict curfew in place for teens on the heels of four killings earlier this week.

Mayor Alvin Parks Jr. says police will arrest teenagers 17 and younger who are NOT in school between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Teens younger than 18 also will be arrested if they’re out later than 10 p.m.

Parks says he knows some people will consider the curfews too strict, but he wants to keep the city from losing more young people.

Morning Headlines: Monday, September 24, 2012

Julie Bierach and The Associated Press — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:25:49 +0000

Gingrich in St. Louis to support Todd Akin

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will be in suburban St. Louis on Monday at a fundraiser and news conference in support of Todd Akin's Senate campaign. The men are scheduled to appear at a $500-per-person, or $750-per-couple, fundraiser. They'll also speak at a late-morning news conference in Kirkwood.

Morning headlines: Friday, April 13, 2012

The Associated Press — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:45:25 +0000

Parks again rejects Durbin's call for earlier night club closings

East St. Louis mayor Alvin Parks is again rejecting a call from Sen. Dick Durbin to institute an earlier closing time for the city’s night clubs and liquor stores

Durbin was in his hometown on Wednesday encouraging area ministers to push Parks for a 1 a.m. closing time. Durbin believes it would help curb the killings in a city that a federal prosecutor has called the nation’s most dangerous.

Public safety vs. city funding: a tough balance in East St. Louis

Joseph Leahy — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:20:55 +0000

When it’s “last call” on weekends for St. Louis bars and clubs, East St. Louis’ nightlife is just getting started. The city’s slack liquor laws allow nightclubs and liquor stores to operate well into the morning. Many critics say the laws are the root of the city’s chronic violent crime.

The problem poses a delicate balancing act for Mayor Alvin Parks who says East St. Louis’ late-night entertainment industry is keeping the city alive.

A Senator's strong words