St. Joseph Police focus on trends, not just numbers in gun violence reports
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Gun violence is something people in St. Joseph have talked about for years — not just because it affects families and neighborhoods, but because it’s about safety.
But according to St. Joseph Police Sergeant Richard McGregory, there’s a big difference between the number of shots fired calls the department gets and the actual confirmed cases where evidence is found or someone is hurt.
The police department didn’t start breaking down those numbers until August 2025. Since then, they’ve been tracking just how often shots are fired across the city.
From Jan. 1, 2024, to Oct. 20, 2025, police recorded 798 total shooting-related incidents — 462 in 2024 and 336 so far in 2025.
“Someone calling and saying hey I just heard two shots fired down the street, we don’t log those if the officers check the area and they don’t find any evidence of it,” McGregory said.
He said the department keeps a close eye on gun-related incidents through data tracking and community reports. And while the numbers can go up and down, their main focus is watching the overall trend.
McGregory emphasized that it’s not just about the numbers — it’s about making sure the community feels safe and sees a consistent, visible police presence.
“Not every shot fired call turns out to be a confirmed gunfire. In many cases officers respond that they find no evidence like a shell casing or property damage but we treat every call seriously and respond as if its a real threat,” Gregory said.
Gregory added that there’s no particular time of year when those numbers spike, but they do tend to rise at night when the department gets more calls.
He explained that when officers don’t find any damage, injuries, or solid evidence at a scene, they rely heavily on cooperation and information from the community.
“We encourage residents to call 911 anytime they hear or see something suspicious even if they are not sure but because its the information from the public its vital to solving these crimes and preventing future instances,” Gregory said.
McGregory said his goal is to keep building trust — through community meetings, social media updates, and programs that make communication between police and residents a two-way street.
