I remember hearing Doug Burgess say on the news the other day that crime always picks up in the summer and if you are not doing anything wrong, or hanging with the wrong people, you don't have anything to worry about.
July 11th, four people were shot, including two brothers who were wounded in separate shootings;
July 13th Peorian confronts armed intruder with golf club;
July 13th Mistaken identity nets robbers no money;
July 14th a man who was shot multiple times was later pronounced dead. Another man who was reportedly shot in the same incident suffered a wound to the head;
July 16th Peoria man, 32, stabbed in the lower abdomen;
July 16th No suspects in South Peoria gunshots;
July 17th Two Peoria residences robbed at gunpoint over past four days; Bullet hole found in Peoria house; Man robbed at gunpoint in Peoria; Gunfire follows crash Sunday night.
And now this:
CityLink passenger struck by stray bullet
One person was injured Monday afternoon after a bullet or pellet struck a CityLink bus.
The bus was headed west on Howett Street about 1:30 p.m. when a bullet or pellet from a pellet gun struck the bus, shattering a window and injuring a passenger. The victim suffered facial wounds, police said.
July 11th, four people were shot, including two brothers who were wounded in separate shootings;
July 13th Peorian confronts armed intruder with golf club;
July 13th Mistaken identity nets robbers no money;
July 14th a man who was shot multiple times was later pronounced dead. Another man who was reportedly shot in the same incident suffered a wound to the head;
July 16th Peoria man, 32, stabbed in the lower abdomen;
July 16th No suspects in South Peoria gunshots;
July 17th Two Peoria residences robbed at gunpoint over past four days; Bullet hole found in Peoria house; Man robbed at gunpoint in Peoria; Gunfire follows crash Sunday night.
And now this:
CityLink passenger struck by stray bullet
One person was injured Monday afternoon after a bullet or pellet struck a CityLink bus.
The bus was headed west on Howett Street about 1:30 p.m. when a bullet or pellet from a pellet gun struck the bus, shattering a window and injuring a passenger. The victim suffered facial wounds, police said.
22 comments:
As an occasional CityLink rider, this is deeply disturbing. =\ Best wishes to the victim and their family.
Emerge, I agree that black-on-black crime is tragic, but I don't think we know the races of all the victims in all these cases. We definitely don't the know the race of the suspects because we don't know who suspects are yet.
As far as Drudge report, I wonder if they ever picked up stories about how almost 0 problems have occurred in last 3 years at events such as Steamboat Festival, HOI Fair, Heritage Family Days, etc., thanks to the ELITE Volunteers? Heck no. But if mob violence had broken out, they certainly would.
A white citizen alleged black kids walked in his yard and called him a name - City Council members scramble to make calls and the City Manager hold a press conference to calm citizens.
Black people are getting shot, killed, robbed, stabbed EVERY SINGLE DAY - City Council has a meeting and they decide to expand the county morgue.
Emerge, you definitely do have a point. I was discussing the problem of gangs of kids walking the streets of Peoria with a friend, who asked where are the neighborhood leaders? I asked him who was the leader in his neighborhood. There certainly isn't a leader in my neighborhood who is responsible for stopping such behaviors. We do have Neighborhood Watch groups--I think their efforts are effective in reporting crimes or unusual activities.
I think many believe that the problem in predominantly black neighborhoods is that people will not give information to reveal the identity of culprits. Most assume that reluctance is due to a distrust of the police. In a world where many policemen are black that doesn't seem to be as sound an argument as it once was. I do believe that fear of revenge from the wrongdoers is the greater fear. I do believe that "part" of the solution is convincing people that they will be better off if the wrongdoers don't believe they are being protected. How to do that--don't know and maybe they won't be better off. I know that I would have a fear of repercussions.
I remember when I called the police on a wrong doer. They were blantly violating City Code at night and the code enforcers asked me to please call the police. I had to call on more than one ocassion, the fourth time I called to report the crime, the dispatcher was so nasty I hung up. When the police came, he brought the person I called to report to my door and told me if I call again, that person was going to press charges against me for harassment. I didn't call again, the following week, there was a huge fight at the address I called on. A huge number of people were present, a fight broke out and two people fell through the front window fighting.
A couple of weeks ago, the police knocked on my door because my next door neighbor thought I was letting the grass near the street get to tall and told us to cut it.
Never mind that the white woman called constantly about every black person on the street. On one occassion they even cut the grass for her (and yes, this was during high crime periods).
Before that, the police came to my door because my next door neighbor felt we were pulled up to close to her vehicle and IF she wanted to open the back of her truck (which has been parked on the street for seven years in the same spot), she would not have enough room.
Before that the police came to my door because a vehicle we only drove a couple of times a month was not moving enough and they wanted it off the street.
I could go on - but I believe I made my point about police in black neighborhoods.
Your stories are believable and the actions of the police outrageous, especially bringing the person whom you reported to the door. When I have called police in West Peoria for loud music, etc., I have always asked that I not be identified in any way. In fact, I told them not to come to my door to ask me questions. One officer did just that and I was outraged. Crime Stoppers always promises that the callers will not be put in jeopardy--the same should be true for phone calls to the police.
Something should be done to prevent the police from putting the "tellers" in jeopardy--if that's not being done, then people have no reason to report crime to the police.
Sharon, isn't there anything you won't agree with Emerge on?
Sounds racist to me.
and oh WOW zero problems in 3 years at Peoria events. I can recall years and years of NO problems at ANY Peoria event. Now I feel better
Several years ago, Phil Luciano did an article on a man who was murdered. Mr. Luciano put in the article that the world was better off with out him. A Dist. 150 class of high school students wrote him letters telling him it was wrong to do that. He went to the class and tried to explain his reasoning. As an adult in the class I got up and spoke. I told the class that there has been an average of two murders a month for years in Peoria. Most of those crimes were black on black. I told the students that a young black man in Iraq or Afganistan was probably more safe then some on in a city like Peoria. One young man asked me if I was saying that blacks deserve to die in Iraq. He was confused and so was I. That was several years ago, and we still average about two killings a month. Last year at 168 shootings the Peoria Police Chief stated on tv that number was where he drew the line, 168. Peoria sounds more and more like Dodge City. And from my point of view, the police are powerless or do not care to stop it. For instance the 4th of July fiasco. The fire department and police pulled out. Maybe we should build a big fence around Peoria to keep everyone in, black and white, like in the move Escape from New York, (tongue in cheek)>
Emtronics, do I always agree with Emerge? That would be news to both of us, wouldn't it? Also, in an early post, I was truly defending you--I don't believe you are a racist--I have grown used to the way you express yourself and do "read between the lines." And I believe I'm going with my gut feeling that your accusation of my being a racist was tongue in check.
However, I believe Emerge was telling the truth about what happened when she called the police. Maybe you have better luck with such calls, but I think that in the areas most prone to constant disturbances, the police really do tend to ignore finding solutions to the problems.
I can, however, defend the police to a large extent because I don't believe they have the manpower to handle the "little" (but not so little to those who live in the areas) problems when there are so many major problems in the city.
I just think we all need to work at finding solutions to save Peoria and to find ways to make the culprits accountable.
I know that I have been told in West Peoria that many of the problems come from rental homes. In response to the suggestion that the landlords be held accountable for their tenants, I have been told that even locating the landlords is a major problem--many do not even live in the city. I wonder if that isn't even more true of Peoria. Also, even in West Peoria there are many laws but few are truly carried out with regard to people who disobey them--loud music, cars parked on the street during snow alerts, property not taken care of, etc. I imagine it's much worse in Peoria.
Why isn't Emerge correct about the Thrust Street incident--there aren't too many press conferences called when a group of kids harass neighbors in inner city areas of Peoria. I may take issue with Emerge on this one, however. I think the press conference was held because Peoria made national news.
Anti-Pundit...
Did you notice all the people over on your blog hanging on every last one of your curse words you spew? Any thoughts on that
Emerge-that is unreal. I would be furious!
Only when gunshots and homicides start occurring on the streets where some of the Councilmen and Mayor live, will they suddenly wake up and realize something needs to be done. Just my 2 cents there.
Emerge, it's too bad that your neighbor couldn't just come over and ask you to move a vehicle, or cut the grass, or whatever was bothering her that day. That tells me she just didn't want to get to know you or anyone of another race. That's her loss, not yours. Even as a native Pekinite, I learned at about age 17 to see past the color of one's skin. Apparently your neighbor never did.
Yes I use curse words. Whop de do. I am no more rude in words than the words one might hear in...say....the hall ways at Peoria High. In fact, in that respect I am rather clean.
I have open comments. I don't agree by any means with all my commenters there what so ever. In fact, I hope some will learn how stupid some people sound when they make their comments. If I was a paid newspaper, I would moderate them but I am just one of millions of E Bloggers and I don't get the attention YOU do like from Drudge and then brag about it. Also, I ask, why are my words "spew"? Aren't you doing the same to me as you hate when others do it to you? I may not like everything you post but I don't call it spew. It's your opinions on things you see as important to you but screw others when they do the same, right? I now know where you really stand.
To Dennis: I agree with your first part. Only when a gunshot hits close to the Mayor's home will we see some results.
As for your second part, let me quote: "Emerge, it's too bad that your neighbor couldn't just come over and ask you to move a vehicle, or cut the grass, or whatever was bothering her that day. That tells me she just didn't want to get to know you or anyone of another race." /end quote
Maybe she does know Emerge and maybe she didn't like the reaction she got from Emerge? There are always two sides to a story at least that is what is prophesied here on this blog, except maybe if it applies to an old lady that complains against the author.
I have owned my home for the last seventeen years. Yes, my neighbor knows me (she does not own the home she lives in). She is well known for calling code enforcers and police on every BLACK HOMEOWNER who lives on our street.
Interesting that you would immediately go to her defense, some might call that racist.
By the way... I am a wonderful neighbor, with well mannered children and a well maintained home. She is lucky to have me next door and not Ray Ray or Pookie, because they would have been in her face by now.
Have a good day Randall.
I am in way defending the woman. In fact, I'll take your word for it. Just pointing out what you quickly point out about others you don't know.
I own my home and been here for 29 years. I have a 91 yr old widow next door I take care of when it comes to snow removal, lawn care, and anything else that goes bump in the night, and I have with the help of the police removed a crack house a cross the street, got the bank to repo it, and sold it to a responsible home owner who keeps it nice. I sent my boys to Garfield, Trewyn, and Manual because I wanted them to grow up and understand diversity. Something I never had experienced. I'll admit that my oldest son's first year (1st grade) was at a private school but I found those people were hypocrites. They excelled at District 150 and graduated with honors and with honors from ISU and Bradley respectfully. Both are professionals in their careers. So I am not the total asshole you think I am. We should met sometime. There, I tooted my horn too.
PS That should have said: I am in NO way defending the woman.
I admit, I'm trying to play the role of peacemaker here because I believe that Emerge and Emtronics are not that far apart on their opinions--and that neither is racist. I read your last couple of posts, Emtronics, and couldn't find much with which I disagree. I did take the time to disagree with one of the commentors who made assumptions about Emerge (that she makes excuses for her own children's behavior)--that was written by someone who knows very little about Emerge. I think both of you recognize racists and racist remarks.
I am currently reading "Crime and Punishment" and noticed a paragraph discussing the beliefs of Marxist socialists that improving one's environment changes human nature--a simplified interpretation of what I read.
We often talk about the problems that poverty creates and its effect on people's behavior. This is my two cents' worth. I am a Biblical believer and believe that all of mankind sins. I believe that poverty engenders certain kinds of crime--many of which do harm to others. I believe an improvement in the environment of poverty reduces those particular "sins."
However, as we all know rich people commit crimes, also, and we often see the evidence of their sinful natures. Their sins and crimes are just a bit different but, also, often hurt humanbeings (but more subtly)--such as white collar crime, etc. Just felt a bent toward philosophizing--sorry! Sometimes even they resort to the big ones such as murder.
I agree with Sharon. :)
Frankly, Sharon has been right on with a lot of her comments in regards to race (IMO). She has been able to talk about some of the things I simply refuse to address just because I'm the black lady on the blogs.
Without interjections from her, Dennis and a few others, my stance would be a very lonely one out in here in the Peoria blogosphere.
I appreciate all comments Randall (including yours). Thanks for taking the time.
By the way... Justin Timberlake is not cute or funny. (I just had to say that).
We will make blogs work for us yet--as with all media they have constructive and destructive uses. Certainly, blogs (this one and C.J.'s, in particular) have allowed me the opportunity to put in my two cents' worth. Racial relations have always been and will continue to be one of my top priorities in life. I won't be happy until we all become colorblind when attributing blame. I have no desire to stop seeing color as I believe the diversity of race has enriched my life.
By the way, for Emerge and me to get to this place hasn't be easy, --but it has been worth the journey. To be able to agree and free to disagree is the mark of good relationships--we are well on our way. Randall, I have no problem reading between the lines to find your truly good human spirit.
I agree Justin Timberlake is not cute nor funny.
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