EAST PEORIA, Ill. — The East Peoria City Council voiced their thoughts on the looting and damaging events that took place over the weekend.
The East Peoria Walmart, Lowes, and other locations were subject to looting, property damage, and arson.
Commissioner Mark Hill said those actions are not protests, they are criminal.
“Criminal actions will not make a public policy change,” Hill said.
Rather than looting and damaging property, Commissioner Dan Decker said there are good people out there and encourages citizens to get involved.
“Peaceful protests are what we need we need in our country to help our country go in the direction it should go.
“But if you recognize those people who are there for other purposes to steal, to loot, to damage people’s property, I encourage you to reach out,” Decker said.
Commissioner Seth Mingus said the first amendment gives citizens the right to assemble and protest, and the events Saturday night were disappointing.
“From a father’s prospective, to try to explain to your kids what’s going on when we drive down the Levee District yesterday and see Target boarded up,” Mingus said. “That’s a difficult thing to do.”
Commissioner Michael Sutherland said those who decided to partake in stealing, arson, and other criminal events Saturday are truly evil.
“They remind me of people who rob houses during a funeral, or steal from the elderly, or hurt those who can not defend themselves,” Sutherland said.
When it comes to arresting the individuals involved, Sutherland said he hopes there is no mercy.
“They will be arrested, that it’s not going to be a revolving door for them,” Sutherland said.
Mayor John Kahl said the actions that happened to George Floyd were despicable.
“I ask people not to judge all the men and women in blue for the despicable actions of a select few.
“No different than I would never judge the despicable actions and the unlawful actions of a select few in what they deem to be the name of civil rights or injustice,” Kahl said.
Every commissioner on the council commended the men and women with the police and fire departments and dispatchers who stepped up over the weekend.
“This heavy police presence, it will continue. We have an obligation to keep our community safe, we will do just that,” Kahl said.
