Public safety discussed after string of violence in Normal

NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — After several violent incidents rocked the town of Normal over the past month or so, the town council held a special meeting Wednesday to “draw a line in the sand,” in the words of city manager Pamela Reece.

Two ordinances were discussed that, while similar, have varying fines. One would be called the “Nuisance Gathering” ordinance, which would address a gathering of three or more people displaying troubling behaviors such as playing loud music.

The other would be focused more on mass gatherings in public spaces, with similar criteria for what constitutes “troubling” behavior. Fines would vary from $1,000-$5,000 depending on various factors.

This is related to two separate incidents. One was a pop-up party that happened last month, which spread to a public space not far from where a deadly shooting near Illinois State University occurred.

The other incident happened earlier this month when shots were fired near a youth football game at One Normal Plaza.

Reece made it known from the beginning of the meeting that Normal leaders are taking this seriously.

“We’re drawing a line in the sand. We have a zero-tolerance approach, and we think we have some strategies that can be effective,” she said.

There would be a ban on amplified sound, unless it is for a town-sanctioned event or if an event has a permit from the town’s parks and recreation department.

Council member Andy Byars expressed a hardline approach to dealing with the issue.

“These are unacceptable, and my general philosophy is I’d rather be overly stringent than non-reactive,” he said.

“As extreme as this may seem to some people, it’s not near as extreme as the behavior we witnessed where an individual was killed, and another was injured and where there were multiple shots fired at an event with children and families. This is something we cannot tolerate in our community, and we have to be proactive on,” he said.

It was mentioned multiple times that these ordinances would not be permanent if proven effective.

The council is expected to vote on the ordinances at its next meeting on Monday, Oct. 21.

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