URBANA — A new initiative from the Urbana Police Department aims to bring a sense of safety back to southeast Urbana’s Philo Road Business District.
The Community Engagement & Violence Prevention Office, which opened Thursday, Sept. 10, is part of the larger Philo Road Ahead Initiative led by Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams.
One of the main goals of the new office is to connect residents with the resources they need.
The Philo Road Business District has seen higher crime rates over recent years, according to police officials, and Williams says that’s one reason the office is located in the area.
“What better way than to provide an actual resource center, a space for people to be able to come to, to meet with and speak with our team,” Williams said.
Urbana Police Lieutenant Matthew McKinney, who supervises the department’s community outreach, says that they’re partnering with businesses and organizations to help improve the area.
He says the department has a signature partnership with the organization DREAAM, which is focused on reducing gun violence with teens. Other partners include Rosecrance Behavioral Health, Courage Connection and the USD 116 School District.
“There are just so many people who have done some great work with us,” McKinney said.
Working with these organizations, the Urbana Police Department hopes to prevent violence in the Philo Road area, which has one of the highest rates of crime in the city of Urbana.
“We hope that we make the area safe, so that businesses will return,” Boone said. “No other place in the city requires as much eyes and ears as here.”
Williams said he hopes businesses will see that the area is becoming safer again and begin to move back in.
Numerous major chain businesses have closed on Philo Road since 2016, including Walgreens, CVS, County Market, and Family Dollar, many of which were affected by higher crime rates in the area.