PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – Peoria residents packed a call-to-action meeting to demand safer parks after multiple shootings tied to youth violence, pressing city leaders and police for a more focused response.
Neighbors said several recent incidents tied to youth violence have put Peoria parks under scrutiny, raising fears in spaces that should feel open and welcoming.
Residents asked for a stronger police presence, urging the Peoria Police Department to check in more often, especially during the hours when kids and teens are most likely to be out.
Many said that while violence is nothing new, the community knows it is concentrated in parks, the response should be targeted, combating it head-on.
“I am hurt and very disappointed in what is going on in our city today,” said Evelyn Young, a Peoria resident. “Our children today shouldn’t have to be concerned about that, too afraid to go out. Senior citizens are afraid to go outside to the store.”
The message from residents: focus efforts with community partners and groups already working with youth, so the parks can return to what people remember from years ago, when families could go to the park, the store, or on an outing without fear.
Others said the solutions have to start at home, putting pressure on parents to be more involved and check in more often.
“When the child acts up, we should hold the parents in some kind of way responsible,” said Andre McKnight, a Peoria resident. “I think when you put the pressure on the parents, they’ll put the pressure on their children.”
There were also concerns about how kids are spending their time. Some residents said young people don’t know how to communicate or have fun without conflict, and boredom is filled with drinking, drugs, and the wrong crowd. Others suggested the music industry and broader influences may be playing a role.
Robert Johnson, president of the Peoria Park District Board of Trustees, said he wants the community to be heard and wants this to be an ongoing conversation.
Community members said they do not want to accept this as the “new normal.” They want parks to feel safe and welcoming again, and they want a plan that includes police presence, community partners, and families working together to stop the violence before it starts.
(Reporting by Kayla Johnson)
