ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The amount of blood shed in St. Louis is on pace to be about the same as last year, according to St. Louis Police Chief Dan Isom, but he urges a look at the long-term trends for a different story.

“In the last four years, we’ve dropped 50 or so homicides,” he said. “In 2008, when I took over, we were at 167 and now we’re at 113 so we’ve made significant progress.”

He credits his “hot-spot policing” program, which focuses officers’ attention on problem areas. The effort has taken a hit of late, though, with less money available to pay for overtime.

“I looked at the numbers today and, as far as aggravated assaults with guns, we’re down half a percent,” Isom said.

Meanwhile, Isom tells KMOX that he expects to know by Christmas exactly who will be replacing him as chief. Department policy dictates that he or she come from within the department.

“But most cities do have the ability to look outside and so I suspect that, as we go forward, that will be changed and you’ll at least have the option of opening up the search to people nationally,” he said.

Isom made the comments during his monthly appearance on the Charlie Brennan Show.