Advisory Committee on Police-Community Relations

Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations Minutes August 21, 2023 – 6:00 P.M. Peoria Police Department’s Training Room (600 SW Adams St., Peoria, IL) The Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations met at the Peoria Police Department’s Training Room on Monday, August 21, 2023, with proper notice posted. Vice-Chair Lang called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL – Present: Boone, Farrell, Lang, Malcolm, Richardson, and Smith. Excused: Allen, Burch, Echevarria, and Schaidle. Absent: Jackson, Petersen, and Wilson. City Staff Present: Deeb, Kirby, McDaniel, and Perkins. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Due to a lack of quorum, the approval of the July minutes was deferred. MEETING Vice-Chair Lang asked Omar Malcolm (a new member) to introduce himself. The rest of the committee also provided a brief introduction. Vice-Chair Lang opened the floor for discussion regarding the two committee logo options. She passed out copies of the options and asked members for their input. Asst. City Manager (ACM) Richardson explained that these options abide by the city logo design guidelines. She also provided some background on how they took ideas and elements from the previous logo and updated it. She said that the shirt color and type (polo or t-shirt) would be up to the committee. She offered to bring mockups so members could decide which route they wanted to go. It was clarified that the city would purchase the shirts. Members agreed that the logo should be revised to include the word “Peoria.” Keith McDaniel, community engagement coordinator, shared that the department would be sending 16 new recruits to the Academy. Vice-Chair Lang asked about neighborhood speeding complaints. She and Lt. Deeb discussed how when traffic details are set up many of the stops are residents in that neighborhood. Keith McDaniel provided a brief overview of the Neighborhood Services Unit and his specific role. He also explained how he is working on restarting the Neighborhood Watch program. He clarified that you do not need a neighborhood association to have a neighborhood watch group and discussed the importance of having a point person. Vice-Chair Lang shared that her group identified “safe houses” for mail carriers. Chief Boone provided a brief update for Peoria Public Schools and discussed their various prevention efforts and how they are seeing an increase in mental health issues. He discussed how the pandemic exasperated issues for families such as food for children who normally received it at school. He explained the Handle with Care program which alerts teachers of students who may need a more constructive care. He agreed to provide the committee with updates. Vice- Chair Lang shared that she would be speaking at 9/6 Bradley-Moss neighborhood meeting. ACM Richardson mentioned the mayor’s kickoff for a program that pairs students with role models. Vice-Chair Lang asked if there were minutes from 1980-2000 as she was interested in researching why the committee was on pause. Mas Perkins said she would look into it. CITIZEN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE – none ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned at 7:05 P.M.