Missouri State Sen. Jeff Smith went riding with St. Louis police over the summer, and wrote an account worth reading — mainly because there’s no sugar coating.

The account includes this:

I met former Police Chief Joe Mokwa about 2 years ago and I asked him how we could reduce crime in the City. I expected he would ask or better equipment, higher salaries, and more beat officers.

“Early childhood education,” he said. “We’ve gotta get these kids ready to read by kindergarten. The ones that can’t read when 3rd grade starts end up across the street.” He nodded out the window to the city jail.

Still true.

(Pictured:  A member of the St. Louis Crime Lab investigates the scene of a shooting on the corner of Davidson and Bircham Avenues in 2005. EDWARD LINSMIER/ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH)