11 Peoria men were asked to put down guns and change their lives last night. Peoria Public Radio’s Tanya Koonce reports it was the fourth Don’t Shoot call-in.
The men are all African American ranging in age from 18 to 24. They share the social characteristics of being on probation, linked to one of four represented gangs and highly likely to be involved in gun violence.
Krista Coleman is the Community Services Coordinator for Don’t Shoot. She says this was a smaller group for the call in and that may have been ideal. "Tonight was very instrumental in the fact that they really listened, they gave us the eye contact they gave us the body language. We were able to see they were listening to the message, ready to take it back to their friends, their family and hopefully make the right choice .”
Coleman is the single point of contact for the young men and their associates. She helps link them to social services specific to each individual.
A total of 66 men have participated in the previous call ins. Exactly half have not been arrested since the first call in in November 2012. A third have asked for and received assistance. Another 34 people with gang affiliations to the call in participants have also received social services.