We’re continuing our exploration into the issue of fire-arm related disturbances in the twin cities of Bloomington-Normal. Law enforcement agencies in these areas report a recently increased number of juvenile fire-arm incidents, expressing their mutual concern and urging the public to help in the mitigation efforts. Jamal Simington, Bloomington’s Chief of Police, shared startling data showing the mean age of gun-related offenders in 2024 was just 19 years.
In effect, young individual arrests escalated drastically, moving from merely 5 instances in 2023, to a shocking 15 in 2024. Furthermore, there was a significant uptick in the recovery of unlicensed guns. Simington emphasized the role of all community members in policing efforts, suggesting that everyone shares the responsibility for reducing crime.
Over in Normal, the local police force remarked that general gun violence has remained steady; however, like Bloomington, it’s seen an upward trend in youth gun-related incidents. This situation has necessitated an increase in law enforcement efforts, leading to the initiation of six new officers into their fold.
Bloomington-Normal is typically considered a peaceful area, with relatively infrequent instances of violent crime, including the youth demographic. But Joanne Savage, a professor of criminal justice studies at Illinois State University, warns that the community still contains various factors that could potentially foster chronic criminal activity.
According to Prof. Savage, like in any urban environment, specific risk elements can amplify an individual’s likelihood of resorting to violence. However, the professor remains optimistic pointing out that teenagers engaged in crime generally do not carry this tendency forward into adulthood.
Assessing the issue of gun violence can be viewed through a few lenses, one being police data. Another perspective comes through scrutinizing the trends in court case outputs. McLean County’s circuit clerk has corroborated the alarming escalation in juvenile gun violations from 2023 to 2024, citing the jump from four to 14 known cases in just a year.
Suzanne Montoya, the Director of Court Services in McLean County, offered a broader perspective, recounting that 56 gun-related cases were handled in the juvenile court system between 2020 and 2025. She noted nearly all defendants were aged between 15 and 17. Over this five-year duration, the majority of the case outcomes, 46 out of 56, concluded with a probation sentence.
She further informed that three underaged individuals were given sentences under the purview of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. As for the remaining cases, they are still being adjudicated. It’s a complex issue with many contributing factors to consider.
Another voice in this discussion is Charles Bell, another criminal justice studies professor from Illinois State University, who urged us not to forget the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. He proposed that the social isolation and disruption of the pandemic could have contributed to the proliferation of youth violence.
Bell theorized that the pandemic circumstances may have left young individuals deficient in conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities. Corroborating this viewpoint, Bryce Janssen, a spokesperson for the Bloomington Police Department, suggested that increased involvement with firearms, propagated through social media, is a significant aspect of the increased youth gun crime.
Those with an understanding of the dynamics of violent crime have proposed two pivotal actions: ensuring young individuals are engaged in constructive activities and adopting a more intent and empathetic listening approach towards them. Bell posits that while escalating security measures in educational institutions might reassure adults, it does little to assuage the anxieties of the young people they are intended to protect.
Kevin Jones, a practitioner of restorative justice, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the need for proactive community building as a potent countermeasure to curb youth violence. Jones has dedicated many years working with McLean County’s youths and their families, advocating for restorative measures through his organization, Pathways 2 Restorative Leadership.
Jones has a hands-on approach providing workshops for police officers, educators, school administrators, and corrections officers, equipping them with de-escalation techniques. He feels strongly that establishing open dialogues through ‘listening circles’ can significantly improve the community’s dynamic.
Efforts to counteract the issue are also underway within the police community engagement units of Bloomington and Normal, with programs designed to foster positive engagement with law enforcement officers. Their initiatives include summer youth academies aimed at fostering constructive relationships with young individuals. They also introduce them to potential careers in public safety, showcasing alternative, positive paths.
Jones asserts that the results of restorative justice, when proactively applied, can not only be tangible but also provable. The focus of these combined actions is pretty clear: we need to redefine how youth are involved with their community and provide them with better role models and opportunities.
Amid the challenge, it is essential to remember this issue has much to do with the harsh realities these young people are facing. As such, the community’s response should be multi-faceted, combining swift action where necessary with compassionate outreach and sustainable support structures.
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