Following 14 violent crimes in Brentwood in 2012, to date, Brentwood Chief of Police Chief Steve Disbennett agreed that Brentwood needs to hire more officers.

At the Public Safety Committee meeting on Thursday, Disbennett said he’s shifted police protection to The Promenade, Brentwood Square and the Meridian, but he’s still worried. Aderman Tom Kramer (Ward 4), acting chairman of the committee, asked him how urgent the need is.

“I’m just saying I find it odd that we have this amount of violent crime taking place in this city, like we’ve never seen before, and violent crime is what worries me the most,” Disbennett said. “That’s how Megan Boken got killed. That’s how people get killed.”

He said the mall parking lots are packed, and are a prime area. “It’s an unfortunate thing,” he said.

“Us and Richmond Heights are the first huge shopping areas when you come out from the city that people are attracted to, and the other part is, 170 dumps down here,” he said.

He said he’s not downplaying a car being broken into or a cellphone being stolen. “I want to catch everybody, but we’re seeing things I’ve never seen before.”

Disbennett surveyed nearby cities with similar populations, and found that Brentwood’s 27 officers compares with 31 for Maplewood, 30 for Ladue, 40 for Richmond Heights and 41 for Des Peres.

Kramer said he’d also like for businesses to contribute to the effort against the crime. He said residents would feel safer if they saw cooperation.

The committee passed a motion to recommend to the Ways and Means Committee to study adding three police officers to the payroll as of 2013.

Kramer added that it is at the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee and Chief Steve Disbennett.

Also in Patch:

• Purse Nabbed, Suspect Cuffed in Brentwood Promenade Business
• Suspect In Shane Co, Promenade Robberies Could be Charged Today
• Robbery Attempt in Brentwood Promenade Lot Wednesday Night, Suspect at Large
• Man Charged with Robberies at Promenade and Shane Co. in Brentwood
• Two Charged in Megan Boken Murder Now Charged in Brentwood Square Robbery
• Similarities in Brentwood Kidnapping, Two Charged in Megan Boken Murder, Police Say