While Racine Police believe a home invasion homicide this week was drug related, and the victim targeted by two masked intruders, this latest act of violence is prompting a call for action by local government officials. Public Safety Committee Chairman Q.A. Shakoor is joining the President of Racine's Council in calling for discussion about crime in the city, and making the streets safer.
Shakoor says the issue of violence in Racine requires a collaborative effort between police & the community. Police "can't do it by themselves," says Shakoor. "We as citizens need to take charge of our neighborhood, we need to take charge of our homes, and go from there." Council President David Maack wants more police overtime dollars, and perhaps creation of a violent crime task force. Meanwhile, community help is requested in finding the two men responsible for the shooting death of 28-year old Terrence Miller at his southwest side home.
Shakoor says a block-by-block, house-by-house effort may be needed to address violence in the community. "We need to get the county involved, we need to get Unified (Racine Unified School District) involved, the city, and our law enforcement, and faith based, and we need to come up with some solutions," says Shakoor. "There's a lot of good things happening throughout the community, but I think it's time we need to pull them all together and have a bigger impact."
AUDIO: Tom Karkow reports (:35 MP3)
