PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria wants to try something to try and stem the tide of violence in the city — especially as it relates to violence involving young people.
Echevarria says he wants to talk to young people on a personal level, and Peoria Public Schools will help him do that.
“We’re in the process of putting together, with the district, a youth advisory committee,” said Echevarria, “that I can speak with, and just hear from the youth of our city…what do they need from us?”
Echevarria says adults may think they know what kids need and want, but you don’t really know until you talk to them.
“I’m not at their home. I may not live necessarily in their neighborhood,” said Echevarria. “But, something’s going on in their mind where they feel they need to be protected. We would love to sit down with them…and arrange that conversation with them.”
Echevarria says he believes things may be going on their minds to make them thing that they need to be protected.
On a related note, Echevarria says communications with local religious leaders about the violence continue, with more coming up.
