St. Pete Leaders Seek Change After 2 Killed in a Single Day PUBLISHED 7:02 PM ET Mar. 31, 2021 PUBLISHED 7:02 PM EDT Mar. 31, 2021
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. Detectives are working to solve the 12th homicide in the city of St. Petersburg this year. City leaders gathered on Wednesday to call on the community to stop the violence.
What You Need To Know
There have been 12 homicides in St. Petersburg so far this year
There were 15 homicides in the city for all of 2020
On Tuesday, there were two homicides in St. Pete in a single day
Mayor Rick Kriseman and Police Chief Anthony Holloway spoke about the gun violence so far this year. In 2020, there were 15 homicides in the city; in the first three months of 2021, there have been 12.
But one thing is clear: the economic downturn caused by the pandemic is hitting minorities hard.
The Rev. Kenny Irby is pastor of the Historic Bethel AME Church and is St. Petersburg’s Community Intervention Director, focusing on the city’s young African American residents. The violence, he says, may be provoked by systemic racism experienced by the Black community.
“It creates levels of stress that clinical psychologists and sociologists would definitely tell you, yes, there is exponential stress in our homes, and people are much more on edge,” Irby said. “Now, going back to the actual cases of the murders that have happened recently, I’m not so sure you can make that connection, though.
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Ken Welch files in St. Pete mayoral bid
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Former Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch Friday filed his paperwork to run for mayor in his native St. Petersburg.
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Around 10 a.m. Friday, Welch, along with his wife Donna and daughters Kenya and Keonna walked into City Hall to meet the clerk. It’s been a long time coming for the 20-year County Commission veteran and a move that runs in the family.
Family affair
“I’m super excited for what’s about to happen today,”. he said. “In a few minutes I have an appointment with the Clerk to do the same thing that my dad did 30 years ago. And that’s to run for mayor of St. Petersburg.”
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the election, St. Petersburg declares
The City Council passed a resolution recognizing the pair as the next president and vice president.
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St. Petersburg City Council declared on Thursday it recognizes Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will serve as president and vice president of the United States. [ ANDREW HARNIK | AP ]
Published Jan. 8
ST. PETERSBURG â Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are president-elect and vice president-elect of the United States, St. Petersburg City Council affirmed on Thursday.
The body passed a resolution recognizing the pairâs victory in the November election and honoring Harrisâ achievement as the the first African American, first Asian American and first woman to be elected vice president.