Peorians living in fear

This eye-witness account is from Paul Wilkinson, president of the Altamont Park Neighborhood Association:

Tonight, around 11 p.m., a group of at least 60-70 African American youth marched down one of the side streets (W. Thrush) to the 4 lane main drag (Sheridan). They were yelling threats to white residents. Things such as we need to kill alll the white people around here. They were physically intimidating anyone calling for help from the police. They were surrounding cars. Cars on the main drag had to slam on their brakes to either avoid the youth blocking not only all four lanes, but a large section of the side street as well. fights were breaking out among them. They were rushing residents who looked out their doors, going on to porches, yelling threats to people calling the police for help.

Cars were doing U turns on the streets just to avoid the mob, mostly male. One youth stated his grandfather was white and several assaulted him on the spot. One police officer answered the call. The youth split into two large groups, one heading north, the other south. They were also yelling racial threats to the police officer but he was outnumbered. Another police car did not show up until after the youth finally dispersed and the patty wagon (van) also eventually showed up.

Residents are very shaken, both black and white alike. This is the fifth large mob action in about a month with smaller groups of 10-12 are out threatening children and adults a few evenings a week or later into the night. The times vary, even occuring during the day. In talking to the police officer, they are short staffed. Residents were advised to simply keep inside and to lock their doors. In other words buckle down, it’s not even safe to sit on your porch or go into your yards.

“The fifth large mob action in about a month.” Wow. This is really outrageous. Why is this neighborhood having to put up with this? “Residents were advised to simply keep inside and to lock their doors”? Seriously? That’s the best we can do for our fellow citizens’ safety?

This needs to be addressed, and quickly.

131 thoughts on “Peorians living in fear”

  1. If this is true, and I have no reason to doubt Paul at all, then this is simply outrageous. How outraged would the black community be if someone brought in the Aryan Nation to counter this? Hell that would be discrimination and then you’d hear the protests at city hall. Of course 2 wrongs don’t make a right. This city or at least it’s leaders have no backbone. They are safe in their private communities out north and in their offices high above the streets. This is a very sad posting and indeed a very scarey posting. Have the gangs taken over Peoria? Mr Mayor, if I may ask, pull your head out of your ass and respond to this.

  2. Has this become the “norm” for our neighborhoods? Sad. I predict the city will do another study, hold a “feel good” meeting and just do little. This was hate crime ,mob action and whatever ever guns and knives the police would find. But the citzens need to “buckle down”? Guess that is all we as residents can do, put up with. Another banner day for the COP/Bluff.Where is our mayor and council people on this issue? Will this make the news?No, no one was shot.

  3. As long as the 5th district is safe, Peoria is safe. Why do those burdened 5th district residents have to pay for all those unneeded police officers? Where is the crime?

  4. Okay, forgive me if my sense of direction is in error, but W. Thrush and Sheridan are in the West or Center Bluff. The East Bluff ends at Knoxville.

    As to the event, what in the world would prompt such a display? While certainly not condoning or embracing the actions of a mob, I would like to know what set them off. And if it is true that the Peoria Police did little or nothing to dispel this crowd, are they not inciting the citizens to take the law into their own hands? I know if I felt my family was threatened, I would take whatever measures are necessary and leave it in the hands of 12 peers to determine if my actions were appropriate. Judging from other statements in the past in these columns, I doubt if I would be alone.

  5. Unbelievable but not really. Considering that these “youths” having learned that there are no consequences for their actions. Where did they learn that? From the school board and even from our own police chief who dismissed the jaywalking tickets on multiple occasions. Maybe it is stretch to make that conclusion but I don’t think I’m far from the truth. These kids know nothing will be done because it never has been. We excuse their behavior year after year. Gotta give ’em break. Their poor and underprivileged, we just need to be more understanding of the culture, blah, blah..

    I say that maybe Don Jackson or Rita Ali need to come down to the East Bluff (and North Valley as well because we have the same issue) and see what havoc they have created. Please tell us residents how we are supposed to live with this and be more “understanding” of idiots taking over our streets and yards.

  6. Frederick Smith – NOTHING has to set them off. There is this awful sense of entitlement that what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine as well especially if it’s nicer than mine! Spend some time on Bluff or in the North Valley. I (barely) dodge kids all the time in the roadway. If you honk at them you get dirty looks, the finger, or (my person favorite) things thrown at your car. They are up all night hooting and hollering (curfew my foot!). Playing music or at least what is supposed to pass for music but based on the lyrics that I can understand consist mostly of words I would have gotten my mouth washed out for saying. But I do agree that we must take whatever steps are necessary to protect our families and our property. I’ve got a few dents in my car but the “regular” goons know that I won’t move out of their way. I won’t hit them but I certainly don’t give them much room and I don’t come to a dead stop. A stopped car is harder to get out of harms way than a moving one. If I am in fear for my life and safety I will not hesitate to take them out with me. As far as my property, I will protect it and that is all I am going to say.

  7. These are the same “kids” that come into our schools telling US what they are going to do. If you “question” them about missing assignments,lost books,or where is their PENCIL, you can bet that a parent will be there instantly (because their child called them on the cell phone they are not supposed to use in school)and cuss out the teacher for EMBARRASSING their kid. Perhaps a bit of humility might turn these delinquents into law-abiding citizens?

  8. Not to mention that vehicles are being vandalized regularly (ours three times in one month), homes are being broken into and people are being mugged regularly.

    Yes – there is fear in black and white residents.

    Where is the City Council? Where is the Police Commission? Why is this allowed to continue?

  9. What amazes me but probably shouldn’t is that there has been absolutely NO news coverage of this. I doubt that would be the case had this been in the fifth district. Just sayin

  10. I had the monitor on yesterday – it was like chaos all day long. At one point there was a call for a 10-32 which I believe is a person with a gun.

    A citizen called in and told the color of the vehicle the person got out of, described the person with the gun, told what direction the person was going, told what direction the car went… The PPD found nothing.

  11. “Why is this allowed to continue?”

    Are the East Bluff and Center Bluffs in the 5th district?

  12. These “children” have either not been taught respect or have a parent that refuses to enforce it, therefore, the community has got a generation of kids that respect NO ONE, not the police, the teachers, their ministers, or their parents. The result will end up being more jails being built, more children in foster care, more homelessness, and above all more CRIME.

  13. As far as this being racial – the knuckleheads may have said something about white people that night – but make no mistake, my family would be in just as much danger as any other law abiding citizen – and we are black.

    We all know that black on black crime is rampant here in Peoria. Black people are being shot at, killed, mugged, our homes vandalized ALL DAY EVERY DAY.

    From what statistics show – our family is more likely to be hurt by these roving groups of lunatics than you are. So, let’s not make this about black vs. white.

  14. Emerge, you are half right but make no mistake about it, this is racial all the way and while you and your family would be in danger, if a choice was presented to them, the white family would be first. This whole incident is crap and their better be a response from our city leaders. Mr, Mayor?

    This area is in the Second and the East Bluff is in the 3rd Districts. The 5th District is where the rainbows are.

  15. Really, you believe that if there was a choice between a black family to attack and a white family to attack, “the white family would be first”?

    I beg to differ, if that were the case, the roving groups of lunatics would be across Forrest Hill and/or War Memorial by now. They are not, they are staying in predominately black neighborhoods, because that is where they can get away with their nonsense.

  16. Yes attacking people (white according to Paul’s post) in cars who don’t live in that area but are simply passing thru. How do you explain that?
    And yes, I do believe that. This is why many whites have moved out of that neighborhood. I grew up in that area and you could walk the streets at midnight and your only worry would be some cop stopping you for curfew. My how the demographic has changed things. I mean kids are kids and there were tons of kids when I grew up. What’s the difference now?

  17. Paul should never have had to preface his comments with “I hope this doesn’t sound racist…”. The behavior speaks for itself.

    Any people that demand respect and equality need to walk the walk. Where are all the black leaders condemning this behavior? Won’t happen. We’ll just hide our heads in the sand and blame it all on racism.

  18. Arguing about whether or not this behavior is racially motivated is a waste of time and energy. It is the behaviors that need to be stopped and punished. Also, protecting these young people is not helping the young people. Both the Peoria Journal Star and District 150 seem to believe that ignoring and not publicizing the problems are somehow deterrents. The secrecy isn’t solving the problems. And we all know or should know that black-on-black crime is more severe than black-on-white crime. In racially mixed neighborhoods all are victims.

  19. What you folks are surprised when the animals start to get wilder than usual. YES the police are SHORT staffed and it has been getting worse by the day. The other day the dispatchers were even telling the cops to be patient because they were pulling cops from out north to cover other areas. There are only around 200 cops in peoria period and maybe a third of them on duty at any on time so you do the math on how well you are protected.
    The hide in the house is exactlly what these COWARDS want you to do it gives them a sense of power. So all you do is feed them.
    STAND YOUR GROUND AND BE READY TO FIGHT.
    Most of the time they will back down if they are not packing.
    Not me personally I’m going all BATMAN on them.
    The saying goes “better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6”.

    As far as what is causing this you folks have already figured it out the MINE MINE not yours. Yes this has been programed in them since they were babies. They show no respect for other unless your in there gang and that is still only a little bit better. The police do what they can but then the courts let them either OFF with no charges or so little time in jail they only learn how to be worse than they already are. The solution would be LONG prison terms locked in a cell 23 hours a day with very limited contact with REAL humans. Prison is a badge of honor for these fools.

  20. Where’s the 2nd city council woman? She was about stopping frat boys from disturbing the peace – she needs to spread the love.

  21. You are right Sharon. This is not a racial thing. The goons/thugs/criminals, whatever you choose to call them are diverse at least in the North Valley. It has little to do with the color of their but more about the mentality of their upbringing. And the so-called leaders of this town. We have to coddle them and make them feel good and everyone’s equal. Baloney! You want to hate me because I have a decent house, a car or two in the drive, and dress nicely? Really? Here’s a clue: I have a job to pay for all of this. I don’t sleep all day and party all night cause that’s all I have to do and wait for the check to come in.

  22. Unfortunately one of Carl Cannon is not enough. I have even heard kid’s mock him at events. They have no respect for anyone or anything. I recommend we move in the National Guard to help restore some order.

  23. “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

    I wish these thugs had at least a little character. I don’t think this is the vision Dr. King had in mind.

  24. Black on black crime in Peoria is a fact and it seems more severe because it’s the shootings and the deaths that result. But it is also black on white crime because most of the time, the shootings occur because of drugs and their sales. Whites buy and do drugs. The anguish and health problems that come with doing drugs is a problem but unfortunately, it’s the young black kid that screws the dealer out of money or drugs or both and the fix is to show up at his apartment, house, or while he’s driving and pump multiple billets into him. The white crack heads just find another dealer. It affects everyone no matter what color. Perception is everything and no matter how you color this, what people see his hordes of black youths acting like animals. Then it is assumed all black youths and their families condone this. This is why it’s important for Jackson and other black leaders to step up and condemn these actions because the lack of noise now from the NAACP is deafening. Again perception. A black teacher is fired and the blacks march on the District. 8 homicides to date all involving young black men and nothing……

  25. Really glad that you took Paul’s account and posted it here. Whether it it five or fifty of these Urban Terrorists, the mob action is destroying Peoria Neighborhoods. Some areas have natural disasters, neighbors come together to fill sandbags, clean up debris and help rebuild. Peoria has a societal and moral disaster that seems to escape the view of those in power. They (City Council, Mayor, Chamber of Commerce, Pastors, Agency & Organization leaders, etc.)seem blind to the issue. The time to place blame is OVER. It is time for action. Perhaps the National Guard is not a bad idea, but they can’t stand on every corner, every day. Law abiding citizens should not have to choose between “being judged by 12 or carried by 6”. Do the “leaders” not realize that new hotels, museums and businesses will fail if the neighborhood control by the Urban Terrorists is not confronted as strongly as any other terrorist action would be. Do we need to fill Council Chambers at each meeting, start a sign-holding protest session every Saturday at the corner of Jefferson and Fulton, stage a march or what?

  26. There are many things that need to happen in this community. One we need to set aside racial barriers and focus on behavior. People are being shot, killed, stabbed and the nonsense going on in our area. Each needs to be addressed and it needs to be done without the threat that this group or that group is going to march in protest because some were black, some white. Those are red herrings that completely undermine progress. We need to focus on solutions rather than just griping. In saying that, however, my residents are tired of living in fear. I have no idea what, if anything precipated last night’s event, other than obviously this group was already together for some unknow purpose…a party..or who knows, still getting neighbor feedback. I know that the responding officer was alone initially and our residents were also watching out for his safety as well as our own until some reinforcement arrives. One officer

    Two: The police are short handed, significantly. I again repeat that ours keep getting rerouted and by that I am not referring to acting as backup for another officer, that action is critical. The key to this is budgetary priorities. When it comes time for budget discussions show, email, write, or council people about the need for public safety. Addressing concerns in a polite, factual manner with potential solutions to problems is the fastest manner to gather their attention and support. In otherwords, just plain griping dissipates from ones mind then specfic examples, impact and offered solutions.

    I spent good chunk of the morning with Councilwoman Akeson going through the problem houses and recent events, but also met went into other adjacent neighborhoods and had discussions with those residents and leaders regarding similiar issues. Mine is not the only area, I had reached the breaking point of this repeated problem. The Mayor, Weaver, Spain and Turner are involved as well. We need concrete solutions to issues. Please let people know your thoughts and viable solutions. What some areas forget is that when my area and the other surrounding areas give up, it will pour into yours like a damn breaking.

    Since we frequently have problems with our council person dismissing what we say, we tend to take pictures and video to back up statements. I did not however grab my camera last night as it was too much of an onslaught to react in that manner.we do have photos and some video of previous incidents.

    OH and for the record, we are in the Center Bluff, the W. bluff stops at the interstate south of us and the East Bluff is on the other side of Knoxville.

  27. So should these terrorist meet the same fate as osama bin laden then. You want solutions they need to go to jail. I heard there is some kind of point system for the juvenile thugs if they don’t score high enough they don’t go to jail. This problem need to start from the bottom up. The thugs will have the little kids run there guns and drugs because they know there is almost a certain chance they WON”T go to jail and be back to work right after mommy comes down to the station and throws a fit about here poor innocene baby being persucuted by the man. Like someone posted earlier if the CLAN showed up and did this the WHOLE army of cops would have been there is seconds.

    I say it’s time to bust out the riot gear and start firing pepper balls into ANY crowd that is running the streets in an UNLAWFUL assembly. If that doesn’t work then it’s time for LIVE ammo. YES sometimes a civillian will be shot but that is the same thing that happens in Bagdad every day. I for one will not live in fear of some thugs. The one’s in my area know I am CRAZY and will come out and BACK UP the police. Even if it means a few minutes in hand cuffs to explain WHY. You see if enough folks come out on there porches WEAPONS in hand the thugs will realize this area is not safe for them and go away. Nothing better than the sound of a 12 gauge shotgun racking a round to get your attention. Since the guberment seems not to either SEE the problem or CARE take your pick.

  28. This is unacceptable that the good people of Altamont Park have to put up with this. Bad behavior transcends race and thugs come from all backgrounds. This is BVA’s district; where is she? It is time to let the City know that hotels and economic development schemes need to go on the back burner and that basic public safety needs to be a priority.

  29. No one should have to live in fear in their neighborhood. No one would have to “stay inside, lock doors” every night so the bad guys can rule the streets.

    1. Paul, were you able to get a decent look at this mob, determine age range? Were they teens, young adults 19-25, or did any of them appear to be older? I know if some are wearing hats/hoods, it’s hard to tell their age.

    2. I agree with other comments, that race should not enter into this, since many black residents, as well as whites, are also fed up with
    this kind of behavior. But you go into some predominately white neighborhoods in suburbs, & you will find white youth acting just as bad. Maybe not as a big mob, but still causing problems.

    3. If this just happened last night at 11:15 pm, and the only way we found out was from Paul and this blog site, how do folks expect Donald Jackson to respond to it? It may not be in PJS until tomorrow, if at all;
    even if someone who lives in that area called Mr. Jackson, he and other NAACP would need to get more info about why this group was out, and formulate some response to it. That won’t happen overnight.

    4. I am very surprised there wasn’t a dozen police cars and riot gear police on the scene, since African-Americans usually get more police attention than other race groups.

    5. Paul, let me know if you see this mob action continuing; I am off work next week, but I might try to get video. I may be caucasian, but I’m won’t be intimidated in getting video, because I will flash my press pass in their face. My email is deggemeyer@pcceo.org

  30. Dennis: I live in the north end of Peoria and I can assure you that there are no gangs of white thugs roaming the neighborhoods, looking to rob/assault people in their homes….GET REAL.

  31. @ Dennis, my point about Don Jackson and Rita Ali is that they are both around (or at least seem to be) when they can get good press about the poor repressed black kids getting picked on by the po-po. They DON’T seem to be around when this stuff happens. That’s all I’m saying. I don’t have their numbers, perhaps you do and could ask them to get involved? To maybe to talk some sense into these kids heads? I doubt since they have very little respect for ANY authority.

  32. Dennis;

    It would appear you are making excuses for everyone.
    The NAACP may not have heard about?
    Why were the kids out doing? Read the story they were starting a RIOT!!
    There weren’t a dozen Cops on duty that is 1/4 of the problem.
    As far as flashing your Press Badge to stop them from Killing you. I would bet even money you end up either in the hospital or worse. Remember they have NO RESPECT for anyone. They don’t even fear the cops and they openly carry gun what does that tell you.

    The only answer seems to be to treat them like rabid dogs and put them out of there misery.
    “They were yelling threats to white residents. Things such as we need to kill alll the white people around here.” does this sound like something coming out of a sane person. I should think NOT they proved their own point they are not fit to live in the community with the rest of us. Making EXCUSE’S for the trouble makers is 1/4 of the problem this needs to STOP NOW.

    What will it take to get the power that be involved OH!! I know some one’s gonna have to get shot that is important. This could explain why BVA has been in hiding she won’t have the balls to go up to this kind of group and get lippy with them even she’s not that STUPID.

  33. Here You Go Leslie; And Good luck!!!

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  34. I was driving down McClure by Loucks School about two or three months ago at about 10 PM, when a large crowd of at least 20 black youths came walking across the street and down Elmwood. They were yelling and screaming and walking up into people’s yards. I pulled into a friend’s driveway, called the police and waited. It took at least 10 to 15 minutes for them to show up.

    If you google black flash mobs you will see it has been happening all over Chicago, even by Northwestern University. It may not be about race, but it is certainly a black cultural thing. I missed the articles that said 40 to 50 hispanic youths or 40 to 50 asian youths.

  35. I guarantee if me or my wife get surrounded by a group of thugs when we are driving, there are gonna be stains on the pavement. I saw what happened in L.A. during the riots when people where pulled out of their cars. Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

  36. I don’t like bringing up race because this is based on behavior. In this particular case the statements being yelled were specifically directed to a and about particular race by members of another. Other incidents have had nothing to due with race, but were directed at specific people and/or groups of people. I do not know the race of any drivers involved or avoiding last nights incident, It was dark that was not the focus of my attention.

    This particular incident involved high age youth through young adult. There seems to be no way to predict an occurance. Again, I am looking to resolve some of these issues at the root, and while venting is sometimes good, these issues are not just my little area. Some are social issues, some are police and funding issues and we have had the makings of the perfect storm for a bit. Some incidents have started with kid fights, some are gang and drug occurances. I know these types of problems have happened in the south end and in the East bluff at times. There was one problem a bit ago in CJ’s neighborhood regarding to an event at Bradley. Some common themes therefore some common solutions must exist.

  37. “Where is the City Council? Where is the Police Commission? Why is this allowed to continue?”

    EmergePeoria and people like her are the problem. Instead of blaming the people involved(and their parents), she blames the Mayor. In fact, she probably has 1000 excuses why they did it. Whatever the reason, it is definately not the fault of the poor repressed precious snowflakes. Makes me barf.

  38. Its not just in Paul’s neighborhood, we have thugs over here off of Gale Ave. trying to poison dogs, because the dogs let you know who is in da hood,We hear gun shots all the time, we call we are told are you sure its not fire works. No, its gunfire .. I have 3 neighbors who have got guns. The police , we did ask to please step up the patrol, they say, i will pass it on.. Haven’t seen any. This is a community and we need ALL stand up each other. I have faith in the Mayor and our council.. But we need help, now ..Its a behavior p. I do agree about the parents.. But some of the youth have no repect for the parents.. We need boot camps for the youth..

  39. Emtronics, you are so right. When people (probably more likely white people, some of whom might well be affluent) stop buying drugs, there will be no economic reason for gangs (often but not always black young people) to sell drugs. The drug trade is at the root of all of these problems and the buyers are just as much a part of the problem as are the sellers.
    I truly object to the above inference that Emerge is somehow part of this problem–anyone who believes that Emerge makes excuses for these bad behaviors doesn’t read her blog carefully enough.

  40. This is a really, really sad state of affairs. We live about a half hour away from Peoria, but do all of our shopping and working there, so these problems affect us to some extent as well. Our family constantly is making comments about how Peoria seems to get rougher and rougher by the year. It’s gotten to the point that we consciously avoid certain areas, and try and get our business and shopping done before the sun goes down, because we really do not feel safe there. This is like a powder keg waiting to go off citywide, and sadly, I think the violence will only escalate in the months to come.

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