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St. Louis Named Most Dangerous U.S. City
"You made my day!" said Faison, who has served since 2000. "There's a new hope and a new spirit."
Cities are ranked based on more than just their crime rate, Morgan said. Individual crimes such as rape or burglary are measured separately, compared to national averages and then compiled to give a city its ranking. Crimes are weighted based on their level of danger.
  The St. Louis Gateway Arch is part of the St. Louis skyline as a barge and tow make their way north along the Mississippi River Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004. Just days after the St. Louis Cardinals won the top honor in Major League Baseball, their hometown jumped to first place on a list no one wants to lead: the most dangerous cities in the United States. (AP Photo/James A. Finley) (James A. Finley - AP) 
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The national FBI figures released in June showed the murder rate in St. Louis jumped 16 percent from 2004 to 2005, compared with 4.8 percent nationally. The overall violent crime rate increased nearly 20 percent, compared with 2.5 percent nationally.
While crime increased in all regions last year, the 5.7 percent rise in the 12 Midwestern states was at least three times higher than any other region, according to the FBI.
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Associated Press writer Rebecca Santana in Trenton, N.J., contributed to this report.
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On the Net:
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay: http:/
Morgan Quitno Press: http:/
