The Illinois National Guard will be helping the Peoria Police Department keep an eye on the city over the weekend.Earlier this week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker activated National Guard members in several parts of the state to help local law enforcement protect against looting and violent protest.
Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis reached out to the governor's office for help. He said he isn't sure what to expect this weekend in terms of renewed unrest.
"Hopefully, it's very quiet. But, you know, the governor expressed the availability and we took him up on it, just to take some of the pressure off of our police department," the mayor said.
Pritzker said the deployed National Guard troops won't serve as the first line of defense.
"They're not designed to be front-line police officers like many of the police officers that are here," the governor said. "Instead, they're a support mechanism."
Pritzker said some of their duties might involve guarding on-ramps and off-ramps or guiding protesters on safe paths.
The activated guardsmen are working on an "as needed" basis. Extra Illinois State Police troopers are also deployed throughout the state to assist local law enforcement agencies.
Last weekend, business break-ins and arson fires didn't erupt until the overnight hours. In the late hours of Sunday night into early Monday morning, there were eleven arson fires set, 87 rounds fired, and 49 burglaries reported. Two people were shot. Unrest gradually tapered off as the week progressed, though many businesses continue to board up windows.
There are a few peaceful demonstrations planned this weekend.
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