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Village prepares to respond to potential civil unrest following Breonna Taylor decision

Barriers placed in some Walmart entrances “strictly as a preventative measure”

By Josh Bootsma

LANSING, Ill. (September 24, 2020) – An alert went out from the Village of Lansing this morning. The alert said:

In light of the decision out of Louisville, Kentucky yesterday, the Village of Lansing is prepared to take action should any civil unrest potentially affect our community. The Village administration, Lansing Police Department, and the Lansing Public Works Department are all at the ready to take action if and when necessary. The Village has also been in contact with representatives from the offices of multiple elected officials at the regional and state levels who have offered their support and resources if needed. At this time, some barricades are in place at certain WalMart entrances strictly as a preventative measure.

The “decision out of Louisville” in the statement refers to the decision announced Wednesday that a Louisville police officer would be charged with “wanton endangerment” in connection with the Breonna Taylor case, but not with Taylor’s death. Two other officers involved in the incident have not been charged. Taylor was shot multiple time as police officers entered her home on March 13. Civil unrest has taken place in Louisville in response to the decision, and two police officers were shot on Wednesday.

Lansing faced civil unrest most notably on May 31, when multiple Lansing businesses were vandalized, including Walmart.

As of 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, barricades had been placed at some Walmart entrances “strictly as a preventative measure.” (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
Public Works trucks were parked in the Round the Clock lot early Thursday afternoon. During the civil unrest on May 31, Public Works used its trucks to block looters from getting to some businesses. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
Josh Bootsma
Josh Bootsma
Josh is Managing Editor at The Lansing Journal and believes in the power and purpose of community news. He covers any local topics—from village government to theatre, from business openings to migratory birds.

1 COMMENT

  1. Josh,
    On May 31, 2020 businesses were looted by individuals NOT from the Village of Lansing. That is why the Torrance entrances and exits to I-80 were shut down. There are many videos on the internet that show all the looting. Civil unrest is not looting. My neighbors T-Mobile store was looted NOT vandalized. I didn’t hear about any “civil unrest” at the Village Hall or the Police Dept. The preventative measure yesterday was to prevent more looting. Tell it like it is, or in this case like it was.

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