Missouri Crime Victims Gain New Resource for Understanding Property Owner Liability After Violent Crimes

Attorney-backed educational hub launches as FBI data shows over 23,000 violent crimes occurred on Missouri commercial properties since 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

St. Louis, Missouri - 02/11/2026 - A new attorney-backed educational resource has launched to help Missouri crime victims understand a legal option many don't know exists: the ability to file civil lawsuits against property owners who fail to provide adequate security. Crime Victim Justice (crimevictimjustice.com) provides free, comprehensive information about premises liability and negligent security claims, filling a critical knowledge gap for victims of violent crimes that occur at apartment complexes, gas stations, parking lots, hotels, and bars across the state.

The resource launches amid continued concerns about violent crime at commercial properties throughout Missouri, including recent fatal shootings at apartment communities in the St. Louis metro area that have renewed discussions about property owner accountability and security obligations.

The need for this educational resource is underscored by data from the FBI's Crime Data Explorer, which documents more than 23,000 violent crimes occurring on Missouri commercial properties between 2020 and 2024, averaging nearly 5,000 incidents annually across 24 different property types.

Despite the scale of this problem, most crime victims are unaware that Missouri law may allow them to seek compensation from property owners-not the criminals themselves-when inadequate security contributes to foreseeable violent crimes. Under Missouri statute RMSo § 537.787, property owners can be held liable when they have reason to know that criminal acts are being committed or are reasonably likely to occur on their premises, yet fail to implement reasonable security measures to protect visitors and residents.

Crime Victim Justice was developed specifically to address this awareness gap, providing detailed guides on premises liability law, negligent security claims, and the distinction between criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits. The site explains that a civil lawsuit against a property owner is entirely separate from any criminal case against the attacker, meaning victims can pursue compensation even when the perpetrator is never caught or convicted.

This distinction is particularly important because criminal restitution, when ordered, is often limited and difficult to collect, while civil claims against property owners, who typically carry liability insurance, can provide full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages that Missouri's Crime Victims Compensation Program does not cover.

The resource provides in-depth information tailored to specific property types where violent crimes frequently occur, including apartment complexes, gas stations and convenience stores, parking lots and garages, hotels and motels, and bars and nightclubs. Each section details the specific security measures property owners are expected to provide, common security failures that may establish liability, and how crime history at a location helps prove that violence was foreseeable.

For apartment complex crimes specifically, a category that includes shootings, assaults, sexual assaults, and robberies in common areas like parking lots, stairwells, and laundry rooms, the site explains that landlords have a heightened duty to provide security measures such as gated access, functioning surveillance cameras, adequate lighting, and working lock systems, particularly when prior incidents have put them on notice of crime risks.

Crime Victim Justice serves crime victims throughout Missouri, with specific resources for those in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and surrounding areas. The site includes information about local victim services, Missouri's Crime Victims Compensation Program, and guidance on statute of limitations deadlines, which allow up to five years to file most premises liability claims in Missouri. All content is attorney-backed and designed to help victims make informed decisions about their legal options without pressure, providing clear explanations of complex legal concepts in accessible language that empowers victims to understand when they may have a valid claim and how to take the next step toward consultation with an attorney.

601 E Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119

Press Contact: Clix - pr@clix.co

Crime Victim Justice is an attorney-backed educational resource dedicated to helping Missouri crime victims understand their legal rights and options. The site provides comprehensive information about premises liability, negligent security claims, victim compensation programs, and the civil justice system, with a focus on crimes occurring at commercial properties including apartment complexes, gas stations, parking lots, hotels, and bars. Crime Victim Justice follows a hybrid educational model, providing free, trustworthy information while connecting victims who may have valid claims with experienced premises liability attorneys for free case evaluations. For more information, visit crimevictimjustice.com.

Website: https://crimevictimjustice.com
Data Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/)

This release was published on openPR.