Category Archives: Crime

City of Peoria, Crime, Peoria County

Peoria County home to 20 gangs

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That’s the happy news of the day, delivered in a news conference attended by Mayor Jim Ardis, Peoria Police Chief Steve Settingsgaard, Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy, and U.S. Representatives Aaron Schock and Mark Kirk.

Meanwhile, Kirk said, the city of Peoria is able to dedicate just 20 officers to anti-gang units. “We need to make sure a local city or town is not overwhelmed by the resources of a gang,” Kirk said.

I’d just like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the City is still contemplating laying off police officers while concurrently planning to fork over $39.5 million to a private developer for a new downtown hotel. You see, Peoria’s Mayor and City Council don’t mind raising taxes for risky private ventures, but balk at tax increases for public safety.

Kirk pointed out that the average age for a gang member involved in a shooting is the equivalent of an eighth-grade student; that the combined size of U.S. gangs would create the fifth-largest army in the world, with at least 1 million members; and that state sentencing in court is not significant enough to use for leverage.

I wonder if any of these teenage gang members attend Peoria Public Schools, and if combining a couple of urban high schools will lead to any violence among said gang members. It’s a good thing we’ll have extra officers on hand when this happ– oh, wait…..

City of Peoria, Crime, Peoria County, Peoria Police

David Kennedy methods rolled out in Peoria

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The Journal Star reports that the Peoria Police Department, in cooperation with the State’s Attorney’s office, is rolling out a Drug Market Initiative/Intervention strategy here in Peoria. Although he’s not named in the article, this is the program developed by David Kennedy on which I reported back in March, with a follow-up article in April. In March, Chief Settingsgaard said that he had “a team being trained by Kennedy and his staff.”

The paper summarizes the program thus:

The Drug Market Initiative/Intervention strategy targets geographic drug markets and involves prosecuting the most violent offenders. Low-level offenders are offered a second chance through interventions and help from social service agencies, along with the warning that another crime means jail time.

I applaud the police for trying new methods to reduce crime, and I’m especially pleased to see the police working with the State’s Attorney’s office. Too often there is an adversarial relationship between these two agencies. Best of luck to everyone involved in implementing this new strategy.

Crime, Peoria Journal Star

Luciano charged with battery

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The Journal Star is reporting that their columnist and reporter Phil Luciano was officially charged with two counts of battery for allegedly hitting a man at a West Peoria bar. You can read the story here. “His first appearance is scheduled Wednesday in Peoria County Circuit Court.”

The question I have is this: Will the Journal Star print his booking photo? You can bet if Tom McIntyre or Bob Larson or Jamie Markley got picked up for getting in a bar fight, they’d run their pictures in a heartbeat — probably on the front page of the local section. Will the paper show a little favoritism to one of their own? The mug shot isn’t on the website… Stay tuned tomorrow to see if it shows up in the print edition.

UPDATE: Nope, they didn’t print it.

Crime

Crime creeps north

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Residents of North Peoria are “startled” by recent crimes in their neighborhoods. What an interesting word the Times Observer chose to describe residents’ reaction to crime: startled. It means “to frighten suddenly; to alarm; to surprise.” In other words, they didn’t expect there to be any crime up where they lived, and are shocked — startled — to discover that crime knows no boundaries.

Mike Wisdom, president of the Chadwick Estates Neighborhood Association, is quoted as saying, “We always felt isolated from crime.” Peoria Police captain Mike Scally said, “When you live in an area of low crime, a little bit of crime is alarming.” Peoria City Councilman George Jacob agreed that “crime in Peoria’s far-flung neighborhoods is ‘surprising.'”

The converse, of course, is that this crime wouldn’t have been surprising elsewhere in Peoria, such as the south side or on the bluffs. But because it’s all the way out here, it’s notable. Conventional wisdom is that these “far-flung neighborhoods” popped up as an effort to flee crime and deterioration (real or perceived) in the older parts of Peoria.

Incidentally, there are those who would prefer a Balkanized Peoria. I’ve heard the sentiment expressed that we should keep crime generally contained on the south side with the bluffs acting as buffers so that everyone living north of the bluffs can live in safety. Whether or not residents feel that’s the way it should be, it is generally accepted as the way things are.

Crime statistics support this view. A quick look at the CrimeView Community website shows the following total numbers of crimes by council district in the last 90 days:

  • District 1: 1,217
  • District 2: 507
  • District 3: 491
  • District 4: 370
  • District 5: 199

By now, you’re no doubt saying, “So what? Tell us something we don’t know. This is all so obvious.” And I guess that’s the point of my post. We’ve accepted this state of affairs in our city. It’s the way it is. It’s the way it’s been for so long, we’ve become complacent. I can hear the objections: “Every city has problems with inner city crime.” “We’re doing everything we can.”

Here’s a thought experiment. Ask yourself, if the property damage and home invasion crimes that happen on the south side suddenly started happening in the fifth district with the same frequency, what would be the City’s reaction? Would any additional pressure be put on the police department? Would they be given any additional resources? How about Code Enforcement? Planning & Growth? Public Works?

Should we be satisfied with the status quo? Are we really doing the best we can to reduce crime?

Crime

Tomorrow’s Markley & Luciano Show should be interesting (UPDATED)

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lucianoJournal Star columnist Phil Luciano was arrested for an alleged altercation at a local bar.

I wonder if someone insulted his dancing.

UPDATE: 1470 WMBD announced that Jamie and Phil are taking a couple of days off and that the show is scheduled to return Wednesday, May 20. The radio station has no official comment on Phil’s arrest, according to a statement from JMP Media President Mike Wild read by the show’s producer Hannah Shea.

Crime, Peoria Public Schools

McArdle sues D150 (UPDATED)

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As promised, Lindbergh Middle School Principal Julie McArdle filed suit against District 150 (PDF Link click here to read it) after being fired Monday — and it covers a lot more than just misappropriation of funds. The suit is filed against District 150, Superintendent Ken Hinton, Human Resources Director Tom Broderick, and Academic Officer Mary Davis.

Six incidents are alleged:

  1. “Misappropriation of School Funds for Teacher’s Aide to Pay an Unpaid Student Teacher and Refusal to Spend Funds Authorized for Teacher’s Aid”
    The story here is that teacher’s aides get paid, but student teachers do not. In this case, there was a woman who had worked as a teacher’s aide at Lindbergh who was also taking classes at Eureka College to become a teacher. When it came time to do her student teaching, she wanted to do so at Lindbergh. Mary Davis allegedly instructed McArdle to continue paying her as if she were still a teacher’s aide, even though she was actually student teaching. There were two problems with this: (1) it was an unauthorized expenditure of funds on District 150’s part, and (2) it violated the student teacher’s contract with Eureka College.
  2. Falsification of Student Addresses to Deny Poorer Students Their Right to Opt Into Lindbergh Middle School Under the No Child Left Behind Act

    3. Three children who did not live within Lindbergh School’s boundaries were allowed to attend without getting the proper boundary waivers. Instead, McArdle was instructed by Davis to list a false address for these students. “The result of the falsification of the three out of boundary students addresses in the District 150 records denied three poorer children the right to opt out of their school to attend the non-failing Lindbergh Middle School – which had the wealthiest residence and was the best Middle school in District 150 under the No Child Left Behind Act.”

  3. Weekly Attendance at Lindbergh School by Private Counselor for Fees Paid by the Parents of the Students Contrary to District 150’s Obligation to Provide a Free Education
    Mary Davis was allowing a private counselor to provide services for a fee. Parents of students were expected to pay the counselor directly.
  4. Report to Superintendent and Peoria Police of Theft of District 150 Funds and Authority
    The claim is that Mary Davis got a credit card in the name of Lindbergh Middle School without the knowledge of or approval from the district. Purchases and cash advances were made, and a $4,000+ payment was made on the card from the student activity fund for “miscellaneous items.” The itemized activity fund report for those “miscellaneous items” is missing.
  5. McArdle’s Report of Mary Davis’ Misconduct and Theft of District Funds to Superintendent Hinton and Board Vice President Deb [Wolfmeyer]
    It was reported via e-mail and had specific names and amounts listed. Nevertheless, when Hinton reported the apparent theft to the police, he said the person responsible was “unknown” and that it was for less than $300.
  6. Policy Making Agents of District 150
    This section says that Davis, Hinton, Broderick, and the D150 Board interfered with McArdle’s employment, resulting in her wrongful termination.

The suit alleges violation of McArdle’s rights to free speech, violation of the Illinois Whistleblower Act, and breach of contract. She’s asking for $550,000 in damages, plus attorney’s fees, and reinstatement to her job.

UPDATE: Here are the exhibits that go with the complaint that was filed:

PDF Link Exhibits to Complaint court document
PDF Link Exhibit 1
PDF Link Exhibit 2
PDF Link Exhibit 3
PDF Link Exhibit 4

City of Peoria, Crime

Inconsistent enforcement of non-discrimination ordinance raises questions

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EmergePeoria thinks the City of Peoria is a little inconsistent when it comes to not discriminating against “protected classes” of citizens.

At issue is the City’s recent smackdown of the Elbo Room bar. In case you’ve been out of town for several weeks and missed the story, here’s the scoop: the owner of the bar posted a sign outside stating, “We are not a gay bar. We are a karaoke bar. […] Diesel is down the street.” (“Diesel” is, in fact, a gay bar.) There were protests, allegations of “homophobia” and other histrionics in response to this perceived discrimination. Then the City’s deputy liquor commissioner (Councilman Eric Turner) stepped in and sent the owner a letter threatening to revoke his liquor license and take other legal action if he were observed to be discriminating against gays in the future.

The thing is, the City didn’t take similar action against other bars that had been turning away black patrons on the pretense of dress code violations. EmergePeoria observes:

In 2007 the Downtown Peoria bars were unaccepting of Black citizens supposedly because of their dress and demeanor which was considered to be “intimidating”. Instead of making downtown bars comply in the acceptance of Black patrons, the City Council, under the leadership of Mayor Ardis, undertook the notion of liquor expansion to have alternate places for “Blacks to go”…. In other words, the rights of Blacks are not protected, were minimized and only compartmentalized by this city and it’s council, whereas the rights of gays have been expressed to have somehow been protected.

In April 2003, the City added “sexual orientation” to its list of individuals or groups against which you cannot discriminate relating to employment and public accommodations. Already on that list: race. Yet that group is not being as stridently defended by the Deputy Liquor Commissioner as the newest addition. Why? Is separate-but-equal okay for some groups but not others in the eyes of the City?

EmergePeoria is right — there is definitely some inconsistency going on here.

City Council, City of Peoria, Crime

City to defend Van Auken

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The City of Peoria will be defending Council Member Barbara Van Auken against the lawsuit that was filed by the Sigma Nu fraternity against her, District 4 County Board Representative Andrew Rand, and City Historic Preservation Commissioner Sid Ruckriegel. City attorney Randy Ray confirmed late today, “We will be filing a pleading on her [Van Auken’s] behalf and defending her.”

I’m so glad my tax dollars are going toward this. I assume this means our budget crisis is over and the City is operating in the black again.

Incidentally, it looks like Rand and Ruckriegel aren’t so lucky as to have their respective municipalities pick up their legal expenses. They have reportedly retained Tim Bertschy with Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, P.C.

City of Peoria, Crime

State’s Attorney weighs in on David Kennedy

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In a previous post, I talked about David Kennedy and his unorthodox methods of fighting crime in urban areas. Police Chief Settingsgaard told me that he has “a team being trained by Kennedy and his staff.” At the same time, I wrote to the State’s Attorney’s office to see what they thought of Kennedy’s methods. I recently received this reply from Kevin Lyons:

Dear C.J.:

In reply to your inquiry about David Kennedy, I am, indeed, familiar with him and this topic. In fact, four Peorians (including a prosecutor from my office and a Peoria police officer) recently returned from Raleigh, NC, following a three day training conference on details of the High Point Project. Recreating the High Point (NC) Project in some cities has met with great success; in others, uh, not so much. But I felt it worthy enough to take a look to see if we may want to embrace this effort and achieve some success for three targeted areas within the city (sorry, but I can’t share with you the neighborhoods that have been designated for this).

These four people will soon complete two more sessions before the ‘project’ here begins. I don’t know whether it will work but I do know that entire generations are lost to the buying and selling of mind-twisting drugs and that changing an entrenched culture will only be accomplished by impacting whole neighborhoods and not just a person here, a person there.

Perhaps it’s because David Kennedy and I are both 50ish and have watched drugs give the grave to friends and neighbors for more than 30 years. Perhaps it’s because we have watched battles being lost for years when waged against criminal drug sales in America. Perhaps the High Point Project makes a little sense because countless other projects do not. We’ll see.

It is interesting, C.J., that you and I were both piqued by this particular approach because, at first blush, this would never be my style…rolling the videotape to the offender and his family and then giving him a free pass. It will be a time intensive task that will take a lot of time by authorities. Then again, as prosecutors say – “there is never enough time…unless you’re serving it.”

Fingers crossed. Thanks for your inquiry.

KEVIN W. LYONS
Peoria County State’s Attorney

My thanks to Mr. Lyons for responding and sharing his thoughts on this topic. It will be interesting to see how these methods work here in Peoria.

Crime

Van Auken video clip released

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This hit my inbox at lunchtime:

Members of the Peoria news media:

The law firm of Hall, Owens & Wickenhauser, LLC recently filed suit on behalf of the Bradley chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity against Barbara Van Auken, Andrew Rand and Sid Ruckriegel [Peoria County Case 09 LM 329]. Soon after the suit was filed, members of the media and concerned Peoria residents inquired about video shot during the incident that gave rise to the suit. In response to these inquiries, we are today releasing a portion of video and two stills from that video.

Attached please find an approximately nine second segment of video shot during the incident September 20, 2008 at Sigma Nu fraternity involving City Councilperson Barbara Van Auken, then County Board electee Andrew Rand and Sid Ruckriegel. Also attached are two stills from that video.

From left to right in the video are Mr. Ruckriegel (standing behind and to the right of Ms. Van Auken), Ms. Van Auken (foreground), and Mr. Rand. On the far right is a member of Sigma Nu.

In the distant background is the Fiji, or Phi Gamma Delta, fraternity house. The lettering is illuminated. Please note that the sound of crickets is audible.

Aaron T. Wickenhauser, for the Firm
Hall, Owens & Wickenhauser, L. L. C.

[flashvideo filename=http://peoriachronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/Video/BVA1_F6_512K.flv /]

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