I am concerned: Mayor Rita Ali on the violence in the River City [Video]

PEORIA (25News Now)—Between 2022 and 2023, Peoria saw a dramatic increase in crime. As initiatives emerge to decrease crime in the city, 25News sat down with Mayor Rita Ali to discuss whether these solutions are working.

Peoria Police Department’s annual report showed total crimes increased 13.5% in 2023, with shootings up 22%, that’s 137 shots that year.

In an effort to mediate the violence with new initiatives and programming, Mayor Rita Ali shares whether the city is seeing these solutions working for the River City.

What are your thoughts on the shootings, stabbings, and domestic violence cases that we’re seeing?

In terms of shootings, we’re down 18% in shooting incidents, we’re down 17% in shooting victims, and overall murders, we’re down 25% compared to this time last year. I want to encourage the public: when you hear a fight that’s getting out of control, or you see something that looks like something may go bad, …