FeedUnlucky 13
August 31, 2005 in The Wire Tags: Dirty Boys, Dub Boys, East Bluff, gangs, Hilltop Boys, No Luv, peoria
The two fatal shootings this weekend were 12th and 13th murders in Peoria this year.
They dead guys lived just a few blocks from each other in the 1000 blocks of East Virginia and East Corrington avenues. They lived in my neighborhood.
The East Bluff took it on the chin again yesterday. A woman got mugged coming outside a bar and as she struggled with the thug, he pulled out a gun and took shots are her and her rescuers.
And the Journal Star is writing that Peoria just might, might, be in the middle of cycle of gang- and drug-related violence.
A resurgence of shootings and evolving gang culture not heard from since the late 1990s is unfolding in Peoria’s streets.
And with it comes the growing fear that bloody turf wars could return, particularly in the wake of three shootings over the weekend that killed two men, seriously injured a third and reported gunfire that persisted into Tuesday.
D’ya think?
Despite the silly overreliance on qualifying words — mustn’t libel the gang bangers — the article is a good one. There’s mention of a secret plan to fight gangs in Peoria.
August 31st, 2005 at 12:18 pm
So Bill, where are these bloody turf wars going to take place, since you know they are going to happen and all?
Why would they write, “Bloody turf wars are coming to Peoria. SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY. Get yer tickets now.”
It’s not about not libeling the thugs. It’s about writing what they know, and they, nor you, know there will be bloody turf wars to come.
August 31st, 2005 at 1:24 pm
Joe, The question is whether bloody turf wars WILL take place or have ALREADY begun. How many people need to get shot before the JStar has the comfort level to declare a “turf war?”
August 31st, 2005 at 1:38 pm
Joe: The JS needs to pull the trigger and intellectually concede that we are in the middle of a gang war right now. The first step to fighting a problems is to admit there is a problem.
August 31st, 2005 at 2:09 pm
Maybe they talked to people who said, “Yeah, we’re a little concerned gang wars are coming back.”
August 31st, 2005 at 3:00 pm
Sounds like being a ‘lil bit pregnant.
August 31st, 2005 at 3:07 pm
Is it odd that I’ve never heard a gun shot in my 13 years of living in Peoria? I don’t even lock my doors. I grew up in small town and have no fear living in Peoria because I don’t go to the South Side.
August 31st, 2005 at 5:25 pm
Wow, declarations of a gang turf war by people who don’t know the participants nor are they in gangs (in all likelihood). Must be nice to make blanket statements without fear of reprisals.
August 31st, 2005 at 5:40 pm
This a long post, but thought it might be of interest on this topic. This story which appears on today’s PTO front page might offer a clue as to some of the police department’s plans.
A badge and a Bible
Peoria Police Chief Steven Settingsgaard has a badge on his chest, and the Bible in his heart. Settingsgaard made that clear as he addressed the board of directors of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens (CCC), a group of individuals who promote Christian values, last week.
Settingsgaard was invited to speak to the group because they were intrigued by public comments he has made about his Christian faith. Settingsgaard faced a bevy of questions about how he planned to address crime and how his faith influences his actions as police chief.
The group got insights into all their questions including some plans for attacking the drug problem in Peoria.
A badge …
Settingsgaard said he has plans to approach Peoria’s drug problem in much the same way he has attacked Peoria’s prostitution problem - with undercover operatives.
“We’re going to get aggressive. It’s my intent to put police officers on the street posing as drug dealers … I intend to bust drug houses and leave the lights on and see who shows up,” Settingsgaard said. “We’re not going to stay with the status quo.”
Settingsgaard said Peoria has far more crime than it should. He said Peoria did not get this magnitude of crime problem overnight, and will not solve it quickly.
But, Settingsgaard said there is hope. He said the prostitution stings the department has started since his arrival have garnered wide public support.
“I’ve gotten a tremendous response from the public. It’s been an eye-opener for me,” he said. “People here want values.”
Settingsgaard said more communication between the public and police is a key element of success. Along with more communication another weapon Settingsgaard plans to use in the fight against crime in Peoria is frankness.
“People here appreciate straight talk, whether they agree with me or not,” Settingsgaard said.
Settingsgaard said frank communication is being had with local organizations like the school district and park district.
“If everyone is sending the same message consistently, then gradually we will begin to change behaviors,” Settingsgaard said.
… and a Bible
Settingsgaard smiled as the end of his meeting with the board approached. He told the group it is because of his law enforcement career, not despite it, that he is a Christian.
Settingsgaard said he grew up in a ghetto. God had no place in his upbringing.
When it came time to go to college he found himself at a Lutheran College studying law enforcement. One of his classes covered the origin of law. The Bible was a textbook for that class.
One day he opened the Bible for the class.
“I read the first paragraph of Genesis 1 and I realized I’d been wrong all my life,” Settingsgaard said. “It was an instamt conversion.”
Settingsgaard said while his faith is a powerful aspect of his life, he has to limit its influence on his professional life.
“I’m not ashamed to say I’m a Christian,” Settingsgaard said. “As police chief though I can’t beat the drum of Christianity … But I approach things from that perspective.”
Because he limits the exercise of his faith, Settingsgaard said, forgiveness is not seen as the providence of the Peoria Police. He has instructed his officers to write fewer warning tickets for things like noise violations. Settingsgaard said, in addition, he wants his officers to ticket parents for truant students.
“Let (the parents) convince the judge or state’s attorney they are not responsible for their child’s behavior,” Settingsgaard said.
As some success is seen in changing behaviors Settingsgaard said he expects citizens to develop more courage in standing up against crime.
“I may be overly optimistic, but I believe we can all make a difference,” Settingsgaard said.
Settingsgaard expects his approach to cause a backlash. He expects some people to say he is going too far because some elements of Peoria have drifted too far away from family values.
“I don’t know how we got to the point where it’s controversial to have the police pick up a kid skipping school,” Settingsgaard said.
Hard choices, he said, lie ahead. But, Settingsgaard expects his faith and support from groups like the CCC will help sustain him as criticism flies.
“There’s a silent majority. I need people to stand up and be vocal in support,” Settingsgaard said. “I hope when the controversies arise people who support what we are doing will speak up.”
August 31st, 2005 at 6:45 pm
Why fear reprisal? And you have to be in a gang to see what’s going on? C’mon….
September 1st, 2005 at 12:48 am
I can’t figure out how to e-mail you other than this…I think the City of Peoria should take the initiative and send buses down to New Orleans and bring some of these people here. My mother and I would take in 2-4 people, and I know tons of other people who would open their homes. Please, let’s send some buses down there and help these people. Please pressure Ardis to do so and not to wait, as people are lost and dying down there. Immediate action! not politicizing is needed. We are a caring town, so let’s show it! Best wishes, Jenny Kellstedt