U.S. Senator Dick Durbin met with area law enforcement officials to learn about Peoria's anti-violence initiative. The Don't Shoot program is based on the book by David Kennedy and addresses ways the community and law enforcement can reduce violent crime. Peoria Police Chief Steve Settingsgaard says shootings are down 26-percent since January compared to the same time last year. Durbin says he's impressed with the program:
“This is a positive step forward, and it’s affordable, because the alternative is extremely expensive to put together a prosecution...from a dollar point of view, from American taxpayers who want their money's worth, it’s a heck of a lot better to be preaching prevention than to try to deal with the outcome when something bad happens,” Durbin says.
The community hasn't had a gang-related gun homicide for six months. Durbin says the Don't Shoot program supports gun legislation the Senate takes up next week. He says the measure imposes stiff federal sentences for people who buy guns for criminals.
Ongoing coverage of the local Don't Shoot initiative to reduce gun violence in Peoria.
Durbin learns about Peoria’s Don’t Shoot program
