Peoria approves $109 million sewer overflow remediation district, launches Land Bank program

Peoria Council Approves $109M CSO Remediation Plan and Establishes Land Bank Program to Combat Blight and Homelessness

On the evening of May 11, 2021, Peoria City Council convened with a newly seated roster of council members and tackled three major items that will reshape city infrastructure and social-safety spending: a $109 million Combined Sewer Overflow remediation district, the establishment of a Land Bank to address vacant and abandoned properties, and a resolution urging Governor J.B. Pritzker to reinstate a utility shutoff moratorium to protect vulnerable residents during the pandemic transition. The votes split largely along compassion-versus-cost lines, with Councilman John Kelly dissenting on both the utility moratorium and Land Bank, while Councilman Denis Cyr broke with his colleagues on the CSO fee structure.

Key Speeches

"We have to apply for a grant or for a loan through the Illinois EPA—a low-interest loan that is cheaper than if we were to go out on the street and borrow money from a bond house. If we went out and sold bonds and issued bonds, that would be four percent interest or three and a half percent interest. The loans are going to come in at one and a half percent interest." — City Manager, on CSO financing urgency

"In 1972, under President Nixon, the Clean Water Act was passed over his veto in both the house and the senate, and the purpose of that Clean Water Act was to clean up surface water such as our own Illinois River. Finally the consent decree was entered into in December of 2020. What we have here is really a plan that costs about half as much as what the EPA originally wanted to impose on us. Originally we were talking close to a quarter of a billion dollars in remediation work." — Councilman Graham, defending the CSO compromise

"The moratorium if we can get—if we can urge the governor to sign the moratorium again—it's not going to cover everything, but it will help us right now, and it will save lives and it will reduce the pandemic spread." — Lawrence Michard, ACLU advocate and public commenter on utility shutoff moratorium

"I think that a greater amount of debt for them today is not the answer. I'm going to be very reluctantly voting against this because I do like the programs we have to help these people, but instead of getting help or encouraging them not to, and just pile on more debt that they cannot service, I just don't think this is the way to go." — Councilman John Kelly, on utility shutoff moratorium

"We are worrying about maintaining our basic needs and maintaining your utilities is a basic need. And so if it came down to me thinking about my FICO score or me keeping an air conditioner for my kids this summer, you know, water, electricity—I'm gonna worry about that." — Councilman Dr. Andre Dr. Andre W. Allen, supporting the utility moratorium

Timeline

Utility Shutoff Moratorium Resolution (Item 21-129)

• Motion and context: Timothy Riggenbach moved approval of a resolution calling on Governor Pritzker to reinstate the utility shutoff moratorium that had expired April 1, 2021. The original eviction moratorium remained in place; utilities had not.

• Public comment: Lawrence Michard, ACLU advocate, testified that approximately $80 million in state LEHAP funding and a proposed $1.4 billion in federal relief through House Bill 2877 would follow reinstatement. He emphasized that the moratorium is a "stopgap measure" while federal relief flows, and that peoria remains "a nationwide hot spot" for COVID cases.

• Staff response: Assistant Director Joe Doolin detailed available programs: LEHAP utility assistance (up to $5,000 past due); Peoria Community Collaborative rental assistance ($25,000 available, 12 months past rent plus 3 future months); Salvation Army and other nonprofits for water assistance. He urged residents to call 2–1–1 for navigation.

• Council discussion: John Kelly expressed deep concern that the moratorium would pile debt on vulnerable residents without immediate relief, citing student-loan-burden parallels. Councilman Dr. Andre Dr. Andre W. Allen and Councilman Timothy Riggenbach countered that basic utilities are a necessity and that federal relief is imminent. Timothy Riggenbach emphasized the transition from pandemic lockdown to normalcy required protection from shutoffs.

• Vote: Approved 9–1. John Kelly dissented.

Land Bank Ordinance Establishment (Item 21-110)

• Motion and context: Councilman Rick Regal moved approval of an ordinance establishing the Peoria Land Bank. The ordinance had been revised in yellow-highlighted text following a May 6 public input meeting at the Gateway Building.

• Public input meeting: Assistant Director Joe Doolin reported that residents and neighborhood leaders expressed concerns about transparency and neighborhood representation. Staff addressed these by (1) changing council-member composition from three at-large members to three members from any district; (2) adding a second neighborhood representative to the board; (3) requiring real-estate-board representative to hold an Illinois real-estate license and reside in Peoria; and (4) ensuring the county board representative resides in Peoria.

• Staff presentation: Doolin explained that the Land Bank is a "strategy and tool" to address the city's 748 backlogged stormwater projects totaling $21 million in the 42 square miles outside the CSO zone. He noted that the city previously eliminated two positions (a land manager and administrative legal staff, totaling approximately $165,000 annually) after budget cuts. The ordinance would add one full-time land bank manager and two part-time staff. Doolin emphasized that successful land banks (Ohio, Michigan) take 15–20 years to mature and require ongoing funding and public engagement.

• Denise Jackson concern: She noted that the First District has the largest number of vacant properties and demanded assurance that residents would have meaningful input. She recalled regional neighborhood meetings from years prior where the Land Bank concept impressed her but worried it would become "just another city-operated project" without community voice.

• Doolin's response on timeline: He explained that the two-year abandonment statute (triggered by unpaid taxes, water bills, and dangerous-building status) cannot be shortened, but proactive staff focusing on vacant properties could identify abandoned buildings sooner and prevent demolition. With proper title clearance and partnerships, properties could be repurposed rather than demolished.

• John Kelly opposition: John Kelly noted that the city previously employed these positions and could rehire them from existing budget authority without state involvement. He stated that Rockford became a trustee and land-bank model without state funding and expressed skepticism that the state "sees any hope for our neighborhoods." He voted no, arguing the city already has the tools to address blight.

• Councilman Alan's support: Dr. Andre W. Allen praised the "pilot program" as adding intentionality to blight remediation in underserved communities and noted that the temporary funding (through September or fall 2022) poses no lasting risk.

• Vote: Approved 9–1. John Kelly dissented.

Combined Sewer Overflow Remediation District (Items 21-039a and 21-039b)

• Ordinance (Part A): Established the CSO remediation district and authorized a $109 million remediation program over 18 years using green infrastructure.

• Background: The city has negotiated a consent decree with the EPA since the mid-1980s. Original EPA demand was approximately $250 million. The consent decree, finalized in December 2020, reduced obligations to $109 million over 18 years.

• Deferral motion and debate: Councilman Denis Cyr moved a two-week deferral, citing concerns about funding methodology and lack of alternative proposals. He noted that the stormwater utility fee has collected over $30 million in the past four years while the backlog grew from $17 million to $21 million, and questioned where funds had gone. He stated that over 39 years, the city would collect approximately $245 million for a $109 million capital project plus ~$50 million in operations, raising concerns about cost efficiency.

• Manager's response: The City Manager stated the deferral would jeopardize the 1.5% interest rate loan application with the Illinois EPA. He emphasized that the consent decree is a federal obligation that cannot be deferred indefinitely and that bond-market rates would be 3.5–4%, making the EPA loan significantly cheaper. Director of Public Works Rick Powers noted that the loan-application window is closing and that further delay risks missing deadlines.

• Councilman Graham's position: He defended the green-infrastructure approach as a hard-won negotiation with the "sclerotic" EPA bureaucracy. He praised the shift from foreign contractors building a 40-foot-diameter trench to local union labor and rain-garden infrastructure repairs. He acknowledged Councilman Cyr's concerns but noted the compromise was substantial.

• Deferral vote: Failed 7–3. Denis Cyr and John Kelly voted to defer; Councilman Graham did not.

• Ordinance vote (Part A): Passed unanimously.

• Fee resolution (Part B): Councilman Graham moved approval. Denis Cyr stated that while he voted yes on the ordinance, he voted no on the fee resolution because no discussion of alternative funding mechanisms occurred. He acknowledged the city manager's achievement in reducing the obligation from $150–300 million to $109 million but insisted that the council "never ever talked about how we're going to fund this." He voted no.

• Fee resolution vote: Passed 9–1. Denis Cyr dissented.

Opposition

Utility Shutoff Moratorium Opposition:

• Number of speakers against: 1 (John Kelly in council debate; no public speakers opposed during public-comment period)

• Main concerns:

  1. Moratorium will accumulate debt on vulnerable residents without addressing underlying inability to pay
  2. Pandemic is receding; job-market signals (help-wanted signs) indicate economic recovery
  3. Coupling moratorium with proposed relief is inadequate—resolution stands alone as a mandate without contingent funding
  4. Existing programs (2-1-1 navigation, rental assistance, LEHAP) should be the focus, not debt deferral
  5. Debt burden on lowest-income households will worsen financial position post-pandemic

• Most compelling argument (John Kelly): "I look at it a little bit like a student loan program. While you're a student in the student loan program, everything looks wonderful, and when you finally get out of school the burden is tremendous."

• Organized opposition: None identified. John Kelly spoke as an individual council member.

Land Bank Opposition:

• Number of speakers against: 1 (John Kelly in council debate; no public speakers opposed during public-comment period)

• Main concerns:

  1. City previously employed a land manager and legal staff (total cost ~$165,000) and eliminated them due to budget constraints
  2. Establishing a new bureaucracy to do what the city already does is inefficient
  3. City could reinvest in existing positions without state involvement
  4. State has "no hope for our neighborhoods" and should not be relied upon
  5. Rockford model shows land-bank functions can be achieved as a trustee arrangement without state funding
  6. Replicating a "big bureaucracy" to address blight adds overhead rather than results

• Most compelling argument (John Kelly): "We can already do it but if we want to get the state money in here we have to create a big new bureaucracy to do what we can already do."

• Organized opposition: None identified. John Kelly spoke as an individual council member.

CSO Remediation Funding Opposition:

• Number of speakers against: 1 (Denis Cyr in council debate; no public speakers opposed)

• Main concerns:

  1. Stormwater utility fee has collected $30 million over four years; backlog grew from $17 million to $21 million—lack of transparency on spending
  2. Council never discussed alternative funding mechanisms (e.g., municipal bonds at current market rates)
  3. Cost structure ($109 million capital + ~$50 million operations over 18 years; collecting ~$245 million over 39 years) appears to front-load ratepayer burden
  4. Deferral needed to evaluate alternatives
  5. No discussion of whether 1.5% EPA loan is only option

• Most compelling argument (Denis Cyr): "I've listened to a lot of my colleagues complaining about, for example, the garbage contract which was our largest contract, but here we're talking about $109 million dollars with and that's just capital investment with over probably $50 million in operation investment to put this thing together."

• Organized opposition: None identified. Denis Cyr spoke as an individual council member; however, the deferral motion garnered 3 votes (Denis Cyr, John Kelly, and Graham initially, though Graham withdrew to vote no on the deferral).

Support

Utility Shutoff Moratorium Support:

• Number of speakers for: 2 (Lawrence Michard, ACLU; Assistant Director Joe Doolin, staff presentation)

• Main support arguments:

  1. Approximately $80 million in state LEHAP funding and $1.4 billion in federal relief (HB 2877) will alleviate debt if governor signs
  2. Peoria is a "nationwide hot spot" for COVID; utility shutoffs will force people onto streets or into doubled-up housing, exacerbating transmission
  3. Moratorium is a stopgap measure to buy time for relief funds to flow; direct-aid programs (not debt repayment) will follow
  4. Basic utilities (electricity, water, gas) are necessities; residents choosing between utilities and food is unconscionable
  5. Community partners (Heart of Illinois Continuum of Care, PCCO, Salvation Army, Prairie State Legal Services, Health Department) have coordinated weekly to ensure resources are accessible

• Most compelling arguments (Michard): "If we didn't have the money, if we didn't have the resources, if we didn't have the family or support, you know the electricity is going to go off, the water is going to go off, the gas is going to go off, and if that happens, it makes your living space uninhabitable."

• Timothy Riggenbach: "During this transition back to the norm, whether that takes 30 days, 90 days, or takes a little bit longer, we look at what we can do to help our residents be able to come out of this."

• Dr. Andre W. Allen: "If it came down to me thinking about my FICO score or me keeping an air conditioner for my kids this summer, you know, water, electricity—I'm gonna worry about that."

• Organized support: ACLU, Heart of Illinois Continuum of Care, PCCO, Salvation Army, Prairie State Legal Services, Health Department, nonprofit coalition.

Land Bank Support:

• Number of speakers for: 3 (Assistant Director Joe Doolin, Councilwoman Denise Jackson, Councilwoman Jensen)

• Main support arguments:

  1. Establishes dedicated staffing focused on vacant/abandoned properties (previously defunded positions)
  2. Creates board with neighborhood representation and public-meeting transparency under open-meetings act and FOIA
  3. Proactive identification of abandoned buildings could prevent demolition (currently reactive, triggered by complaints)
  4. Clear-title acquisition enables redevelopment rather than demolition-only outcomes
  5. Temporary pilot program poses no lasting budget risk; funds expire fall 2022
  6. Successful land-bank models (Ohio, Michigan) demonstrate long-term neighborhood stabilization
  7. Addresses First District's concentration of vacant properties with community voice

• Most compelling arguments (Doolin): "What this process does is it actually has a board that will get monthly reports specifically on this. All the monthly board meetings will be open to the public. They will have to adhere to the open-meetings act. In addition, FOIA and everything will apply specifically to those meetings."

• Denise Jackson: "Folks impacted by it will have some say so at the table as to how their concerns voices are met with regards to the land bank."

• Councilwoman Jensen: "This is just a start to get the program going, and then I will also be advocating that we continue to get input from residents and stakeholders."

• Organized support: Peoria Area Association of Realtors (with minor concerns about listing conflicts, which staff addressed).

CSO Remediation Support:

• Number of speakers for: 2 (City Manager; Councilman Graham; Director Rick Powers; City Engineer Andrea Klopfenstein in supporting roles)

• Main support arguments:

  1. Consent decree reduced EPA's original ~$250 million demand to $109 million—a 50%+ reduction after years of negotiation
  2. Green-infrastructure model uses local union labor and repairs existing infrastructure (rain gardens, permeable surfaces, bioswales) rather than foreign contractors and intrusive trenching
  3. 1.5% EPA loan rate is historically low and far cheaper than 3.5–4% municipal bonds
  4. Loan-application window is closing; deferral risks missing deadline and triggering bond-market issuance
  5. 18-year project schedule with federal consent-decree obligations cannot be deferred indefinitely
  6. CSO improvements will clean up Illinois River, enhancing riverfront recreation and quality of life
  7. Project creates union jobs and infrastructure-repair outcomes beyond CSO compliance

• Most compelling arguments (Graham): "Finally the consent decree was entered into in December of 2020. What we have here is really a plan that costs about half as much as what the EPA originally wanted to impose on us."

• City Manager: "We have to apply for a loan through the Illinois EPA—a low-interest loan that is cheaper than if we were to go out on the street and borrow money from a bond house."

• Director Powers: "The loan-application window is closing soon, and if we don't make this application, we will have to go out on the market and issue bonds, which would cost us more money than if we were to get the loan from the IEPA."

Project Details

Combined Sewer Overflow Remediation District

• Case/ordinance number: 21-039a (ordinance), 21-039b (fee resolution)
• Applicant/proponent: City of Peoria; negotiated with EPA
• Key personnel: Director of Public Works Rick Powers; City Engineer Andrea Klopfenstein; City Manager; Corporation Counsel Peterson
• Location: 8-square-mile CSO zone in oldest section of Peoria
• Current zoning/status: Separate sanitary and storm sewer systems; combined-overflow discharges into Illinois River during heavy rain
• Proposed remedy: Green infrastructure (rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavement, detention basins) over 18 years
• Cost structure: $109 million in capital improvements + ~$50 million in operations and maintenance over 39-year bond term
• Financing: 1.5% interest Illinois EPA loan (subject to application approval); transparent CSO fee separate from lateral and rehab rates
• Fee structure: New CSO fee effective May 1, 2023, with planned annual increases through May 1, 2026; separate fee provides transparency of CSO spending
• Consent decree basis: December 2020 negotiated settlement reducing original EPA demand from ~$250 million

Land Bank Program

• Case/ordinance number: 21-110
• Applicant/proponent: City of Peoria Community Development Department
• Key personnel: Assistant Director Joe Doolin; Director (unnamed in transcript, but referenced)
• Location/jurisdiction: Citywide; focus on 748 backlogged stormwater projects in 42 square miles outside CSO zone; particular concentration in First District
• Program structure: Land Bank Board (9 members: 3 city council members, 2 neighborhood representatives, 1 real-estate board member with Illinois license, 1 county board representative, 2 appointed by mayor) + dedicated land bank manager + 1 legal department staff + 1 community-service inspector (reassigned)
• Initial funding: Attorney General grant program with deadline for application; temporary through fall 2022
• Goals: Address vacant/abandoned properties; clear titles; identify demolition candidates early; enable redevelopment partnerships
• Key revision from May 6 public meeting: Changed council-member composition from three at-large to three from any district; added second neighborhood representative; required real-estate representative and county board member to reside in Peoria
• Transparency: All board meetings open to public; subject to Illinois Open Meetings Act and FOIA; monthly reports to council

Vote Breakdown

Utility Shutoff Moratorium Resolution (Item 21-129)

• Final: 9–1
• Yes: Timothy Riggenbach, Dr. Andre W. Allen, Jensen, Denise Jackson, Regal, Denis Cyr, Graham, Oiler, Dr. Kiran Velpula
• No: Councilman John Kelly

Land Bank Ordinance (Item 21-110)

• Final: 9–1
• Yes: Councilmembers Regal, Dr. Andre W. Allen, Denise Jackson, Jensen, Denis Cyr, Graham, Oiler, Dr. Kiran Velpula, Zachary Oyler
• No: Councilman John Kelly

CSO Remediation District Ordinance (Item 21-039a)

• Final: Unanimous
• Yes: All council members present

CSO Remediation District Fee Resolution (Item 21-039b)

• Final: 9–1
• Yes: Councilmembers Graham, Jensen, Dr. Andre W. Allen, Denise Jackson, Regal, Oiler, Dr. Kiran Velpula, Zachary Oyler, Timothy Riggenbach
• No: Councilman Denis Cyr

Deferral Motion on CSO Remediation (prior to ordinance vote)

• Final: 7–3 (motion failed)
• Motion to defer: Denis Cyr, John Kelly
• Second: John Kelly
• For deferral (3 votes): Denis Cyr, John Kelly, and one other (count unclear but motion failed with 7 nos)

Outcome & Next Steps

Utility Shutoff Moratorium: The resolution was approved and will be transmitted to Governor Pritzker requesting reinstatement of the utility shutoff moratorium until herd immunity is achieved and federal funds (HB 2877, estimated $1.4 billion) are appropriated. The city is coordinating with nonprofit partners (Heart of Illinois Continuum of Care, PCCO, Salvation Army, Prairie State Legal Services) to ensure residents are informed of available programs. Residents should call 2–1–1 for navigation to utility assistance, rental assistance, and other relief programs. The Mayor's office and City Council will continue public outreach.

Land Bank Program: Ordinance approved. The city will apply for Attorney General grant funding (deadline pending). Once approved, the city will appoint a Land Bank Board and hire a Land Bank Manager, Community Service Inspector reassignment, and legal department staff. Board meetings will be open to the public. The Land Bank Manager and Board will conduct neighborhood outreach and develop a comprehensive vacant-property strategy for council approval. The program is temporary through fall 2022, subject to state funding. Council will revisit vacant-property management policy (last updated 9–10 years ago) with input from the board and neighborhoods.

CSO Remediation District: Ordinance and fee resolution approved. The city will submit a final loan application to the Illinois EPA next week for the 1.5% interest loan. Contracts and loan agreements will return to council for approval. The 18-year remediation schedule begins pending EPA loan approval. Annual CSO fees will be transparent and separate from sanitary/storm rates. Green-infrastructure construction (rain gardens, bioswales, etc.) will roll out over 18 years, creating union jobs and infrastructure improvements.

Controversies & Context

CSO Negotiations & Federal Compliance: The Combined Sewer Overflow issue traces to the 1980s, when the EPA identified violations of the Clean Water Act. The consent decree finalized in December 2020 represents a significant negotiation victory for Peoria: the original EPA demand approached $250 million; the negotiated requirement is $109 million over 18 years. Councilman Graham emphasized that the green-infrastructure approach (rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavement, bioswales) is superior to the traditional engineering model (large-diameter trench) and supports local union labor. However, Denis Cyr challenged the funding methodology, noting that the stormwater utility fee collected $30 million in four years while backlog grew from $17 million to $21 million, and no alternative funding scenarios were presented to council. The manager countered that the consent decree is a federal obligation and that the 1.5% EPA loan window is closing.

Land Bank & Municipal Capacity: John Kelly argued that the city previously employed a land manager and legal staff (total cost ~$165,000) but eliminated those positions during budget cuts. He contended that the city could reinvest in existing capacity without state involvement and that establishing a new "bureaucracy" is inefficient. Assistant Director Doolin countered that the state grant funding is time-limited and that the Land Bank Board structure creates transparency and public accountability that the city's current vacant-property management lacks. However, the debate over state reliance reflects deeper skepticism about whether external funding creates lasting improvement or perpetuates dependence.

Public Input & Neighborhood Voice: The May 6 public meeting on the Land Bank revealed resident concerns about transparency and meaningful neighborhood participation. The ordinance was revised (shown in yellow text) to address these concerns: council members now come from any district (not just at-large); a second neighborhood representative was added; and real-estate and county representatives were required to reside in Denise Jackson underscored that the First District, with the largest concentration of vacant properties, must have substantive input. Councilwoman Jensen reiterated that the ordinance is a "start" and that the board, once appointed, will conduct neighborhood meetings to develop a comprehensive strategy.

Utility Shutoff Moratorium & Economic Recovery: John Kelly dissent on the utility moratorium reflects a broader philosophical divide: whether debt deferral during economic transition helps or harms vulnerable households. John Kelly cited the student-loan analogy, arguing that accumulating utility debt will burden residents long after pandemic relief. Timothy Riggenbach and Councilman Dr. Andre Dr. Andre W. Allen countered that basic utilities are necessities and that the moratorium is a stopgap pending federal relief (HB 2877). Lawrence Michard (ACLU) noted that approximately $80 million in state LEHAP funding and a proposed $1.4 billion in federal relief address past-due bills directly—not deferral—if the governor signs. The tension reflects competing priorities: immediate cash-flow relief vs. long-term debt avoidance.

Pandemic Transition & Police/Public Safety: In new business, Denis Cyr requested an update from Interim Police Chief Theobol on gun violence and crime increases. Chief Theobol reported trends consistent with regional departments: homicides, shootings, stolen vehicles, burglaries, and juvenile crime all increasing. He emphasized officers' engagement with armed individuals and noted that summer typically brings increased crime of opportunity (unlocked cars, homes). Denise Jackson reported holding a meeting at a Shell gas station on MacArthur Highway to address loitering and safety concerns; a homicide occurred at that location days after the meeting. The Mayor underscored the need for police-community partnerships and called for residents to report suspicious activity and call Crime Stoppers. This briefing, while informational, highlighted the urgency of the council's social-safety initiatives (utility moratorium, land bank) as complementary to enforcement.

Duration

• Utility Shutoff Moratorium: ~30 minutes (motion through vote, including public comment and council debate)
• Land Bank Ordinance: ~45 minutes (motion through vote, including staff presentation and council debate)
• CSO Remediation (deferral motion + ordinance + fee resolution): ~40 minutes (deferral motion, ordinance, and separate fee resolution vote)
• Total meeting: ~3 hours (approximate, including proclamations, consent agenda, and other items)

Other Notable Items

Warehouse Parking Lot Resurfacing Contract (Item 21-124): Council unanimously approved a $126,895 contract with Tazewell County Asphalt Company for downtown parking-lot resurfacing at 812 Southwest Washington. Councilwoman Jensen noted this was the only bid received for the small asphalt job, required to provide 50 parking spaces as part of a redevelopment agreement.

Peoria Cares Call Management Expansion (Item 21-106): Council unanimously approved a $75,000 budget amendment to contract call management with the 2–1–1 center (United Way/AMT) for 50 hours per week at $25/hour. The shift from in-house to outsourced call handling provides access to trained dispatchers and the 2–1–1 database, improving cost-effectiveness and service quality. Councilman Graham emphasized that the current in-house system (taking calls through the manager's office) is inadequate and that this expands capacity.

Glenn and Sheridan Road Culvert Project (Item 21-127): Timothy Riggenbach requested a two-week deferral of a $479,789 contract amendment and $60,796 budget ordinance for a CSO-related stormwater project at a major intersection. The deferral was granted unanimously.

Police Crime Briefing: Interim Police Chief Theobol briefed council on rising gun violence, homicides, stolen vehicles, burglaries, and juvenile crime, noting trends consistent with regional departments. He emphasized the need for community cooperation, crime reporting, and summer crime-prevention measures (locking cars and homes). Dr. Rita Ali and Denise Jackson discussed a recent meeting held at a Shell gas station on MacArthur Highway to address loitering; a homicide occurred at that location days later, underscoring the urgency of community-police partnerships.