Peoria’s anti-gun-violence program is showing a further reduction in crime. Officials with the Don’t Shoot program reported an 83-percent decrease in the number of people killed by gunfire so far this year compared to 2013. The number of times where a person was shot also decreased by 32-percent. Peoria Police Chief Jerry Mitchell says part of the reason for the decline was the weather:
“It was a long, extended winter, so we believed our shootings were down based upon there was more snow on the ground. And we know that’s law enforcements best friend is poor weather.”
Mitchell says a combination from the Peoria Community Against Violence Group, new Resident Officer programs, and a reliance on Shot-Spotter technology also are behind the crime decline. Another ‘Call-In’ program is set for November 17th. That’s where offenders are told to put down their guns or face tough prosecution.