Read more about the article ​​Champaign’s trial run of gunshot detection program fires blanksDarrell Hoemann
Looking south to the Champaign Police Department Building on First Street. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

​​Champaign’s trial run of gunshot detection program fires blanks

In an effort to deter gun violence, Champaign implemented two new surveillance technologies, but underwhelming results have led the police department to recommend parting…

Continue Reading​​Champaign’s trial run of gunshot detection program fires blanks
Read more about the article Southeast Urbana sees less shootings since neighborhood plan, but domestic violence a growing concernSUNA
The neighborhood boundaries of the southeast Urbana neighborhood, divided into four quadrants. The map was created by the neighborhood association and is available on its website.

Southeast Urbana sees less shootings since neighborhood plan, but domestic violence a growing concern

In 2016, the Southeast Urbana Neighborhood Association and its steering committee met with leadership from the Lierman and Historic East Urbana neighborhoods to address…

Continue ReadingSoutheast Urbana sees less shootings since neighborhood plan, but domestic violence a growing concern
Read more about the article Champaign and Urbana shootings fall since 2021 peak; cities pondering what preventive programs workedDarrell Hoemann
Looking south to the Champaign Police Department Building on First Street. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Champaign and Urbana shootings fall since 2021 peak; cities pondering what preventive programs worked

In the past eight years, Champaign and Urbana witnessed a steep hike in gun violence and then a swift decline after 2021 — but…

Continue ReadingChampaign and Urbana shootings fall since 2021 peak; cities pondering what preventive programs worked
Read more about the article Champaign gunshot detection tech not meeting expectationsChampaign City Council
The city council voted 6-3 on a resolution "Authorizing the Purchase and Installation of Automated License Plate Readers, Gunshot Detection, and Related Equipment from Flock Group, Inc.," in December 2021.

Champaign gunshot detection tech not meeting expectations

On February 13 this year, a one-year pilot program began in Champaign with Raven gunshot detection technology. Records obtained in a Freedom of Information…

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Read more about the article Record-breaking numbers in C-U elicit $3.2 million annual gun violence reduction plan
A map of shootings in Champaign overlaid with color-coded community indicators from Jan. 1, 2016 to Nov. 15, 2021. These indicators consider area demographics such as race and household income, and are outlined in the city's community violence reduction blueprint.

Record-breaking numbers in C-U elicit $3.2 million annual gun violence reduction plan

The City of Champaign is implementing a multi-million-dollar plan to combat local gun violence focusing spending on its street outreach program intended to aid…

Continue ReadingRecord-breaking numbers in C-U elicit $3.2 million annual gun violence reduction plan
Read more about the article Urbana says “no” to license plate readers, but Champaign says “yes” in effort to reduce gun violence
A portion of the proposed automatic license plate readers in Champaign, bordered by light blue lines. Screenshot from Champaign study session document.

Urbana says “no” to license plate readers, but Champaign says “yes” in effort to reduce gun violence

Although Champaign voted in favor of implementing automated license plate readers (ALPRs) for $240,500 last month, Urbana rejected its $54,000 idea about a month…

Continue ReadingUrbana says “no” to license plate readers, but Champaign says “yes” in effort to reduce gun violence

Champaign shootings spread to westward neighborhoods over years, fueled by recent surge in gun violence

Gun violence in Champaign has steadily marched westward over the past three years as shootings have increased in neighborhoods north and south of Springfield Avenue, especially in or near several apartment complexes, according to a review of police data over the past seven years by CU-CitizenAccess.org. With about two weeks left in this year, 16 people have lost their lives. In 2020, there were nine homicides, but only two in 2019. Shooting incidents more than doubled in Champaign since 2019, going from 100 shootings, to 189 in 2020, then to 251 by December 13.

Continue ReadingChampaign shootings spread to westward neighborhoods over years, fueled by recent surge in gun violence
Read more about the article Another record year for Champaign shootings warrants debate over causes, solutionsDarrell Hoemann
Looking south to the Champaign Police Department Building on First Street. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Another record year for Champaign shootings warrants debate over causes, solutions

Shootings continue at over 250 in a year that has already seen its highest number of shooting deaths ever recorded in the city, at 16 so far. The previous high of 9 occurred just last year, and even all the numbers that measure gun violence in Urbana have tripled in the past five years. Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman said the rise in shooting incidents and homicides this year can be attributed to retaliation in a lot of cases. While retaliation may be to blame for a lot of the shootings, law enforcement officials and community leaders said it is not the only cause.

Continue ReadingAnother record year for Champaign shootings warrants debate over causes, solutions
Read more about the article Gun violence escalates in Urbana over past two years into “emergency” situationGoogle Maps Street View
Urbana City Building from Google Maps.

Gun violence escalates in Urbana over past two years into “emergency” situation

Only four years ago, Urbana police reported just 17 shooting incidents and no fatalities. The numbers doubled by the end of 2019, and have nearly doubled in each of the two years since, according to an analysis of police data by CU-CitizenAccess.  Out of the 99 shootings through November, at least 21 individuals were injured, meaning that when combined with homicides, one-in-three people were killed or wounded when shots were fired.

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Read more about the article Hiring shortages an obstacle for policing amidst increasing gun violenceDarrell Hoemann
Looking south to the Champaign Police Department Building on First Street. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Hiring shortages an obstacle for policing amidst increasing gun violence

Several months after addressing increasing gun violence in a community update, a new report on hiring reveals the Champaign police force is understaffed. Urbana and University of Illinois police are experiencing some shortages, but have significantly less unfilled positions.

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