PEORIA, Ill. — Gun violence isn’t new to Peoria. But, those who are wrapped up in the violence are getting younger, according to Mayor Rita Ali.
Ali told WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show” that many of the guns making their way into the hands of mostly teenagers and young black men in Peoria are stolen.
“They’re coming from, often times, cars that are burglarized that have guns, homes that are burglarized that have gun, even gun shops. And, they’re ending up on Peoria streets,” Ali said.
Organizations like Carl Cannon’s E.L.I.T.E. program and PCAV (Peoria Community Against Violence) are working to prevent gun violence, but, in many instances, the information isn’t getting to the youth that are committing the crimes.
“Some people don’t know about what’s being offered at the different organizations, including the Wrap Around Center, the trauma work that’s be done by Derek Booth at Peoria Public Schools. There’s a disconnect,” Ali said.
Peoria’s mayor wants to establish an “S-Net”, or safety net of programs to spread information, but also to provide rapid response to the violence when it occurs.
“We have to work with Peoria Police, collectively, to solve crime,” Ali said.
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