We continue our exploration into the surge in juvenile gun crime in the Twin Cities; a cause of distress for Bloomington-Normal’s law enforcement agencies. They are now more than ever, calling out for community participation to aid in the strenuous ordeal of tackling gun violence. Bloomington Police Chief, Jamal Simington, underlines that the main perpetrators of gun offenses in 2024 were surprisingly only 19 years old on average. The growth in juvenile-related apprehensions was also quite startling, moving from 5 incidents in 2023 to a significant 15 in 2024.
The rise in firearm seizures noticeably mirrors this alarming escalation. Chief Simington enjoins the entire community to partake in policing efforts. The scenario in Normal reflects a similar gravity, with juvenile crime rates on a steady incline, although overall gun violence has shown steady figures. This escalating trend has necessitated a more hands-on-deck approach, leading to the induction of six new officers into the local police force.
The picture is not all grim, with Bloomington-Normal still maintaining a relatively low violent crime rate index amongst young offenders. Yet, Joanne Savage, a professor of criminal justice studies at Illinois State University, points out that the society has quite a few of the factors conducive for spawning pervasive criminal behavior. These factors do increase the propensity of violent actions among individuals, especially in urban settings.
Savage adds that frequently, participation in criminal activities during the teenage years does not tend to persist into adulthood. There are multiple ways to assess gun violence in the society, with police data being one of the most reliable. Yet, it isn’t the only source of information; court cases provide another insightful perspective.
The circuit clerk of McLean County cites an alarming increase in juvenile gun-related cases for the period of 2023-2024, marking an ascent to 14 cases from just four the previous year. Over the half-decade, from 2020 to 2025, juvenile court dealt with fifty-six gun-related incidents, reveals Suzanne Montoya, the Director of McLean County Court Services. In this pool, all but one case involved individuals aged 15 to 17 years.
Most of these cases, forty-six to be precise, concluded with a probation sentence. A few reached more drastic consequences, with three of the minors being referred to the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, while some cases are yet to reach a verdict. Amidst this scenario, the inescapable shadow of the pandemic lingers, as it is believed to be a significant contributor to the escalation in juvenile violence.
Underlining this is Charles Bell, another criminal justice studies professor from Illinois State University, who reasons that the pandemic has deprived young individuals of key life skills; problem-solving and conflict resolution. Echoing this sentiment is Bryce Janssen, a spokesperson for the Bloomington Police Department, who points out an increasing fascination with firearms among the youth. He suggests that this interest, coupled with the frequent exchange of firearms and their rampant glorification on social media platforms, may be fueling the rise in gun crimes.
Experts in the field of violent crime believe the solution lies in two primary actions – actively engaging the youth in productive activities and lending an ear to their concerns and ideas. Increased security protocols at schools, according to Bell, might contribute to the peace of mind for adults but fail to adequately reassure the students themselves.
Echoing this sentiment is Kevin Jones, a practitioner of restorative justice, who promotes community building as a vital step in pre-empting youth violence. He has decades of experience working with the young population and their families in McLean County. Leading Pathways 2 Restorative Leadership, Jones has been instrumental in conducting listening circles wherein he has imparted training on conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques to police officers, teachers, and other professionals.
The police community engagement units in both Bloomington and Normal have undertaken innovative courses to foster constructive interaction with law enforcement. This involves hosting summer academies designed for young individuals, with an aim to shift their perspective towards careers in public safety and foster a positive rapport. This approach of re-framing ‘cool’ and using a positive catalyst to build relationships has yielded promising results.
Jones reaffirms the effectiveness of this restorative justice approach, emphasizing its potential for delivering tangible, measurable outcomes, especially when implemented proactively. Through initiatives like these, stakeholders hope to provide a fresh direction to young individuals, ushering in more positive engagements, steering them clear from the path of violence.
The post Surge in Juvenile Gun Crime Elicits Community Response in Twin Cities appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
