St. Louis in Missouri, the U.S., was once known as "the gateway to the American Dream." Throughout the 20th century, the city was one of the most prosperous industrial trading centers in America. However, today it's a different story.

The city of St. Louis has consistently ranked among the most dangerous in the U.S. with one of the highest murder rates in the world.

As local authorities consistently failed to break the cycle of violence, St. Louis civilians formed voluntary groups to police their own communities and help save lives in the city. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is one of those voluntary groups. It aims to reduce gun violence. CGTN Global Stringer followed volunteers from this group as they served their community.