A message from the kids

Peoria: It's our city, let's keep it pretty

I found this.

And while details were emerging about the latest homicide victim, some were busy making sure that a family that had, and lost it all wouldn't go without. Even if that meant a local retailer offering

"All of our customers and anybody in the community that would like to come in a help with this, uh, donation for the family we're offering a 20 percent discount to our customers and we're also just a drop-off site if you would like to help, um, come in and bring something that would help this family rebuild their lives."

There's lots of bad things in the South End, but every once in a while, you stumble across something that isn't.

I found one of those somethings after leaving the scene of a fire at an abandoned home.

1007 S. Blaine St.

While working my way toward downtown, I saw an abandoned home on Louisa. There was something different, though, about this forgotten abode.

Not sure who is responsible for this, but I hope they keep it up. It's a simple and powerful way of saying 'we care about what happens here.'

These wooden, hand-painted signs were nailed to the boarded up windows of the home. The writing at the very top of the upper sign reads

Hey drug deals. Stop using houses as your drug house. Make a change in your life. If you keep doing what your doing what your doing what your doing you are going to die.. start being clean. You need to think about your family your mom your dad and your kids. There is no need. I know you are in pain, but don't let the drugs make you do that.


And on the sign below it

Drugs isn't good for you it can make you sick. My Uncle drink and did drugs and he is died that's why I'm not going to be like him. I feel bad for the people that have to sleep in the rain when it is cold outside. Please stop!!!

The sign at the bottom of this frame reads

Dear drug dealers,
For some drug dealers think that drugs are great. But, you see, you know nothing about that thing. Thing are not good about drugs in Peoria. I know that drugs are things you should not deal with. Drug are dangerous for people. It can also mess you up, even kill you. And that goes for drug dealers, partners, hobos, moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, uncles, Aunts, cosines etc. So whatever you do, don't sell drugs.


Sincerely, Ben