By Liz Lape and Howard Packowitz
PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – A year after violence plagued the opening of Peoria Public Schools, the public is again being asked to “Stand Up, Show Up, Be There” to support PPS students.
Peoria Police and the city will host gatherings outside each PPS school. The public is invited to cheer the kids as they come to class, showing they are not alone and can count on people in their community.
The event was the idea of now-retired Police Chief Eric Echevarria after two shooting incidents near Manual High School a year ago. One of the shootings injured a 15-year-old on South Griswold Street. The other happened two days later, in which the school building was damaged by gunfire.
Echevarria’s successor, Chief Brad Dixon said this year, people again have the chance to support their community’s kids who may be facing struggles.
“We want to have those positive engagements; we want them to feel like they have a voice with the police department,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to engage with them and have those great connections.”
PPS Board of Education member Gregory Wilson is also supporting the police department’s efforts to support students.
“They go through so many different challenges in their lives, so it is a nice way for community leaders, parents, and teachers to get together and give them words of encouragement as they head to school,” he said.
The first three meetings have been scheduled.
- Thursday, Aug. 13 at Manual High School, 6:50 a.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 20 at Annie Jo Gordon Community, 8 a.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 27 AT Harold B. Dawson Jr. Middle School, 7 a.m.
The meetings will be held at all 27 PPS schools, and every Thursday police and community members will go to a different school.
Future locations, dates, and times will be listed on both the PPS and Peoria Police Facebook pages.
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