We're Not Through Yet!

As the summer season of 2011 is upon us the Peoria Association Of Pastors is seeking to increase community awareness in effort to stand against crime and violence to hopefully turn the tide of fear that has taken our community in recent times.

Peoria Crime At A Glance

According to a 2010 Peoria Journal Star report crime in the basic 8 categories in 2009 consisted of:

• 16 homicides
• 414 robberies 
• 624 aggravated assaults 
• 62 arsons, 
• 1,645 burglaries
• 97 criminal sexual assaults 
• 3,437 thefts 
• 374 motor vehicle thefts

In contrast, all crimes, except for murder and the number of shootings, were down in 2010. According to the Peoria Police Department compiled statistics, the number of crimes in the same categories were as follows:

• 22 homicides
• 307 robberies
• 560 aggravated assaults
• 61 arsons
• 1,473 burglaries
• 49 criminal sexual assaults
• 3,477 thefts
• 179 motor vehicle thefts

The arrest of both first time offenders (1,478 {down 24%})and repeat offenders (5,985 {down 8%}) decreased from 2009 levels. Although the numbers decreased, many citizens were not convinced that life in the city was any more safe because of the number of shootings. According to the city Crime View statistics,  in 2011 there has been already over 240 incidents involving unlawful possession, sale, or use of a firearm or other deadly weapons, and 5 murders or homicides. The greatest thing to fight is apathy and the reluctance to get involved in helping to reverse the murder rate.

Who Is Responsible?

One question that we wrestled with last year was "why are there so many shootings and murders?" There were any number of answers including gang retaliation, drug and territorial wars and just plain old loss of common sense. One of the best deterrents however are citizens that band themselves together and demand that their living conditions be as descent and safe as possible. That is what we are trying to promote this year. Citizen unity and vigilance against the negative influences in their neighborhoods and communities that if left unchecked will have a further negative impact on their families and children.

In 2011 we will continue to spread the word of Community Hero and ask citizens to continue to stand strong, speaking to their children, relatives and friends and do what we can do to help support these families and individuals in the best way possible while they take a stand.

What Can We Do?

The Establishment Of A Community Hero Fund:

Although I have talked and circulated the word among certain individuals, we have yet to push this idea forward. That is changing as of now. We are asking the public to contribute to the Community Hero Fund. This fund has two primary purposes:

First, the fund will be conducted similar to Peoria Crime Stoppers but at significantly lower levels and targeted specifically towards Heroes that deliver information that lead to the arrest and conviction of individuals who have committed murder.

Secondly, the fund will also address some of the most basic needs associated with the surviving family of homicide victims. Currently within Peoria, there are no city sponsored victim services such as services for clean up, emotional and psychological referral or for temporary housing for those who fear reprisal. Families of victims who suffer homicide are totally on their own as they try to rebuild their lives. We would like to address those issues and change that, by contributing to the acquisition of fundamental resources to families that have faced and endured the tragic loss of loved ones.

The fund will not be geared to provide comprehensive resource in these areas, but it will be geared to help relive and address some of the stress and strain normally associated with murder and untimely death. Having experienced this aspect of crime and violence within Peoria personally, I am in a position to know what some of the gaps are in  this area.

Support The Fund

Contributions toward this fund can be made by Paypal. If you use Paypal, please complete the contribution form and indicate COMMUNITY HERO FUND so that we may direct 100% of the contribution to that area. We will provide a charitable contribution receipt for all contributions made. You may also contribute by mailing a check to the following address:

Peoria Assn. Of Pastors
Attn: Community Hero Fund
P.O. Box 6167
Peoria, IL. 61601

Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated and will be used for the purposes stated above.

Don't Be A Zero, Be A Community Hero!

The Peoria Association Of Pastors For Community & Spiritual Renewal are reaching out with a Community Hero Campaign designed to combat and directly effect the challenges associated with the "street rule" of "no-Snitchin'".

We want to change the perception around letting individuals and children know that Heroes are the ones who stand to make their community better by demanding accountability from those around them. We simply say,

"Be A Hero. Tell What You Know!"

There are 3 essential elements and messages that we would like to set forth for this campaign:

1- I Am My Brother's Keeper. When someone in my group is not coming up to the standards of behavior, I am not afraid to check him and remind him that we are holding them/him or her accountable for their actions.

2- Crime Doesn't Get The Silent Treatment. Criminals have no heaven or respite in my environment and as a group we are not afraid. Multiple eyes are taking it all in with an intent to deliver information to the proper authorities at the proper time in order to help the community be a safer one. Each one is rewarded according to their open participation in assisting and serving their community.

3- Pastors, Churches, Community Organizations & Civil Organizations Will Support & Facilitate Community Heroes Efforts. Citizens standing to take their community back need support. We will commit to not leave neighborhoods, and individuals without support as they endeavor to stand and take their community bringing it back from the grip of crime and violence.

The Police department has heard the voice of the community. Their commitment to the safety and privacy of those submitting information has never been more strong. Like us, they want to save lives and help improve the quality of life for all of Peoria's citizens.

What We Must Do

I heard a conversation between a first grader and a fellow friend. The child was angry because his friend had told the teacher about his actions and how he had been hurt as a result. the offending child immediately responded by saying, "You're nothing but a tattle-tale, you little snitch!" The child who had been offended felt bad because now he had been given a label all because he was trying to keep from getting hurt further. in other words the message was that his pain was acceptable reality for someone's gain.  

THIS MUST STOP!

From a very early age, unwritten rules and codes of conduct are established and many of these rules only serve the most dominant and the most threatening or domineering personalities. Like the boy who was offended and let down emotionally, some feel out of place to speak up for themselves and for their community.

The Subculture Of Silence & Violence

The problem is even more pronounced because of efforts such as those by gansta-rappers and gang-members like Rodney Bethea who promoted the "Stop Snitchin" message through videos and using all star personalities like Denver Nuggets NBA All Star Carmelo Anthony. It was an effective approach and got the attention of the youth and the gang culture by the droves. At that time the purpose of the message was to reinforce the idea that the Police and authority weren't the friends of the community and that there would be strong retribution for those who "talk too much" pointing out drug dealers, gang leaders and other trouble makers.

Because of this type of message and a long history of community/police mistrust, the streets have almost clammed up tight with people who witness crime saying absolutely nothing in response to it.  The who thing has set a fear in the hearts and minds of many individuals and communities as a whole. Thus the problem is displayed, criminals seem to think that they will be able to get away with their actions because there community will remain silent about their activities.

We won't be silent anymore!

What You Can Do

First:

There is a Community Rally against crime and violence scheduled for June 27th 2010. "Don't Be A Zero, Be A Community Hero" is the theme. It will be held at the Neighborhood House in the parking lot area from 2-4:00 PM. Please plan to attend. Your participation is essential in sending the message that this is our community and we want it back.

Secondly:

I personally ask each of you to promote the Community Hero message to our youth and fellow citizens wherever they may be. We ask business owners to allow these flyer's to be visible in their places of business. We ask parents and community leaders to share and promote the message that speaking up is a good thing for the community and being silent is not being heroic. We would like everyone to promote the message that this is our community and we will not continue to surrender it to gangs, drugs, crime and violence.

In Addition:

You can ask your church and your pastor to be a part of this association, these community efforts and to unite to address issues of community need. Media can help promote and spread the Community Hero Campaign through PSA's and other forms of assisted advertising, and contributions can be given so that we can expand our efforts and flood the community with positive words, expressions and activities that we know change and save lives.

We need your financial contributions toward this effort and others:

As in The Peoria Gun Exchange Financial Contributions toward this effort are essential to it's success. Individuals considering offsetting the financial costs associated with this or any Pastors Assn. can send their contributions to:

New Bethel
Attn: Peoria Assn. Of Pastors
P.O. Box 6167
Peoria, IL. 61601
(Specify in the memo line what the contribution is for if you want to help support a specific effort.)

Also you may email me at Dunamis1@netzero.com or visit our Facebook Page for updates and announcements on community activities.This is the start of addressing crime and violence at the heart and center of the community's moral base, distilling stigmas against being a part of the solution. We will be a part of the solution and not the problem. Thank you.

Pastor H. Burnett

Exec. Director