Macon Reporter

In response to recent violent crime, Decatur city leaders approved a call for firmer police action, according to WAND 17 News.

Police Chief Jim Getz recently requested assistance from Illinois State Police as a result of multiple incidents of gang-related violent crime.

"The chief is doing everything he can,” Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe told WAND 17 News. “He really is. By bringing in other officers to crack down on this kind of activity, that is what we can do right now.”

Seven gang-related shootings occurred in Decatur on Saturday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 20, leaving six people wounded and one person with a life-threatening injuries, police told WAND 17 News.

The shootings were connected to South and East side gangs and involve individuals suspected of a wave of shootings last August, Getz told WAND 17 News.

Seven shootings in a 24-hour period is is taxing on officers and the Decatur Community Response Team is working overtime to investigate.

During the same week, business owner and Decatur community pillar Tim Clemmons was abducted and murdered.

"To whoever did this, they took a very important person," Clemmons' childhood best friend Stayshaun Wheeler told WAND 17 News. "The person who murdered Clemmons just ruined several lives – by taking one life, they ruined several lives."

Police are still investigating Clemmons' death.

Getz told WAND News that detectives are doing their best to solve each act of violence, but that witnesses and victims are not cooperating with investigators.

"Neighbors need to take their neighborhoods back,” Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe said. “They need to speak up about what is going on.”

Moore Wolfe told WAND News that officers may have to take firmer action mirroring approaches to combat gang violence during the 80s and 90s, but said it can not be done alone.

"What we really need is cooperation from others. Those who have some information that they can share with police," Wolfe said.