The Peoria Community Against Violence (PCAV) group is actively focused on preventing future violence and is stepping in to support family members of two men found dead Wednesday night in Central Peoria.
Becky Rossman, CEO of PCAV, said group members responded to the scene, ready to help families with burial information, trauma counseling and other services they may need.
“PCAV, even though it's been around since 2014, some things we're expanding, like a crisis response,” said Rossman. “But we're really implementing and building new things to make sure that we can be proactive instead of reactive.”
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said Thursday the Bailey brothers suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The Peoria Police Department is investigating the case as a double homicide.
The deaths are the 10th and 11th homicides in Peoria this year.
In the past month, Rossman said PCAV members have received training through the National Organization for Victim Assistance. Additionally, PCAV is looking to take volunteers for violence prevention.
“One of the things we're looking at doing for prevention is implementing street intervention teams. Research shows that is the No. 1 deterrent of violent crimes, especially gun violence,” said Rossman. “There's a lot of gunfire every night, and that can be very traumatic for kids who are exposed to that especially consistently.”
