Mayor: If you saw shootings, please cooperate with police
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">HARRISBURG – Harrisburg Mayor John McPeek said at the very beginning of the city council meeting Thursday that any witnesses of a recent shooting on East Dayton Avenue should cooperate with police.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">"I want to say something about the recent violence in the city of Harrisburg," McPeek said. "I want the public to know that I am deeply concerned about the recent shootings that have taken place here. I am seriously considering all options for the steps the city should take to protect our citizens so they will feel safe in Harrisburg."
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">McPeek said that he and the Harrisburg Police Department believe that witnesses aren't giving information to police for fear of retribution.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">"I am working closely with Chief (David) Morris to bring the perpetrators to justice, but I, the council and the police department desperately need your help. We cannot arrest someone without the cooperation of those individuals who were the victims or anyone who stood in harm's way," he said. "We need your voice, your courage and your information to help us stand up to those who have decided they can continue to harm you and other citizens. We need the assistance of everyone to come together and decide that enough is enough."
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He also asked the community at large for its support of the early Saturday morning shooting that left two with leg injuries and one with a chest wound.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">"Even if you were not a recent victim, we need everyone to show their support for those who were harmed and be willing to stand behind them in our quest for justice," McPeek said. "Please search your conscience and help us help you and every citizen in Harrisburg. I want everyone to be proud that they live in Harrisburg."
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Morris said he has been waiting to hear an update from Illinois State Police, who is the lead investigating police department for the case. He said he knew ISP also was finding witness cooperation difficult.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">"If someone was there, they need to tell us what they saw," Morris said.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He said his department is continuing to process forensic data from the crime scene and cross-reference it to other recent shootings in Harrisburg.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">"It might be possible that we'll be able to determine some of the same people were present at more than one of these shootings," Morris said.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Morris has urged witnesses to come forward. He said anyone who wishes to speak anonymously may leave a message for him by calling (618) 252-8661.