Video shows people on roof of vacant STL hotel, sparking safety concerns
ST. LOUIS - The Millennium Hotel in downtown St. Louis has been closed for more than a decade, but police records show that it's far from forgotten.
In fact, officers have responded at least four dozen times in the past year.
St. Louis resident Thomas Robinson couldn't believe his eyes last weekend while having dinner nearby—people sitting on top of the vacant Millennium hotel.
In shock at what he was witnessing, Robinson pulled out his phone and started recording.
"I happened to look over at the hotel, and I saw these three guys like a triangle form," Robinson described. "At first, I thought my eyes were seeing something after I had a few drinks, then I started to see them move around; one went left, one went right and the other stayed up top."
The video Robinson took has garnered thousands of views on social media.
"(People) are asking how they get up there? Why are they up there? And people say that's not the first time that's happened as well," Robinson said. "People have video of them doing the same thing so I guess it's a frequent thing."
FOX 2 cameras also spotted police outside the property Monday morning after another call for service.
In the past year, police have been dispatched there 54 times for incidents such as:
- 3 burglar-in-the-building calls
- 3 destruction of property calls
- 15 suspicious person calls
- 1 prowler call
Police say anyone caught inside or on top of the Millennium Hotel could face trespassing, burglary or property damage charges. They also noted that climbing onto a structure like the hotel isn't just illegal, it's extremely dangerous.
Authorities told FOX 2 they've had multiple conversations with the property's representatives about securing the building, and those talks are ongoing.
Gateway Arch Park Foundation, which purchased the Millennium with plans of demolition, shared a statement with FOX 2 regarding the viral video and its security measures.
"The Millennium Hotel is privately owned and trespassing anywhere on this property is strictly prohibited. To ensure the safety of the public and the property, access points are sealed and security measures are in place to prevent unauthorized entry. The site is monitored and trespassing is immediately reported to the authorities," the foundation wrote.