Rockford, Illinois – A sense of unease grips the Rockford community following a series of violent attacks that occurred on Cleveland Ave. near Harrison Ave. and Alpine Rd. on Wednesday afternoon. Residents like Olivia Little were taken aback by the sudden influx of police and crime scene tape, turning their typically quiet neighborhood into a scene of chaos.
Little, who had just returned from a routine grocery run, described the neighborhood as a place where families walk, children play outside, and people walk their dogs – making the presence of violence just a few houses down even more shocking.
Former Alderman of the 14th Ward, Joseph Chiarelli, now the Winnebago County Chairman, expressed his personal connection to the area affected by the attacks, emphasizing the community’s commitment to safety but deploring such senseless violence.
Authorities, including Rockford Police and county officials, are collaborating with multiple agencies to investigate the motives behind the attacks, as Chief Carla Redd stated the lack of a clear reason for the heinous crimes committed in the southeast Rockford neighborhood.
Residents, like Little, voiced their disbelief at the violence unfolding in their community, with many expressing that while such events are heard of, they never expected it to hit so close to home.
In a show of support for those affected, counseling services are being offered at Flinn Middle School on Ohio Parkway starting Thursday at 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., and continuing on Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing a resource for community members to process the traumatic events that have shaken their sense of security.