Bloomington-Normal experiences a troubling rise in juvenile gun crimes, as police report a jump in arrests from 5 to 15 incidents between 2023 and 2024. With the average gun offender being just 19 years old, local law enforcement stresses that combating this issue requires collective community effort, urging residents to engage with police and report suspicious activities.
Experts point to various social factors contributing to this increase, including economic stress and a lack of conflict resolution skills among youth following the pandemic. Illinois State University professors emphasize the need for proactive community-building measures, suggesting that offering structured activities and fostering open communication can help curb violence and better address the underlying causes of youth criminal behavior.
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