PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – Thursday morning, East Bluff residents met with representatives of community agencies and organizations about changes they’d like to see in their neighborhood to help reduce crime.
The community forum was a partnership between the East Bluff Community Center and Peoria County’s Triad program that promotes relationships with seniors, law enforcement, and business leaders to educate and address crime, health, and safety issues.
“The message is that everybody can be a part of violence prevention, that of course it’s not just a police job, but as seniors, we can be empowered to be activists,” said Peoria’s Mayor Rita Ali.
At least ten organizations set up tables at the forum to tell people about the resources they offer for health and safety concerns. Mayor Ali says unity is crucial in finding solutions to violence.
“There are lot of initiatives in place, both community-based and police-based initiatives, and really working together like I’ve never seen it before,” said Ali.
The mayor and Peoria’s 3rd District Councilman Tim Riggenbach were there to speak with East Bluff neighbors. Plus, people got the opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions.
“One of them was how can other organizations that are not funded, how can those organizations perhaps tap into some of the anti-violence funding, so we want to help to build the capacity of other organizations so that we have more organization involved in the effort,” Ali said.
“Council is always interested in what we’re hearing at the grassroots, and things like this just make that opportunity so much greater,” Riggenbach added.
They discussed the diversity in East Bluff, housing situations, ways to beautify the neighborhood to stimulate community pride, and other things that reduce crime in the long run.
“We still have incidents that happen, and we’re going to have incidents that happen, but I’m just really proud of our community, stepping up, taking responsibility, and we’re going to be successful. We’re going to make a difference because we’re going to be working together,” the mayor said.
