Double Shooting Concerns Locals That Gang-Related Violence Has Made It's Way To Evansville
By: Casie Mason
Updated: January 20, 2013
Last night's double-shooting has many neighbors worried tonight about the apparent increase in gang activity and other crime in the area. We have the reactions from a neighborhood that's quite shaken up. For some in the neighborhood 'home sweet home' is starting to feel far from it. The shooting near Covert and Vann possibly being gang-related, has several people worried about their safety and the well-being of their families.
Worry that a shooting near Evansville's southside could be gang-related has residents in this area thinking about their safety a little more tonight. In fact, many are so worried, they didn't want to be identified for fear of becoming the next target. "I live like four blocks away. I've seen probably fifteen times a day the police go through our parking lot. There has been an increase in violence in Evansville. There absolutely has since me, growing up here, I've seen a big change and it's scary," says an annoymous woman. "I'm sure there are people around here who are scared. Especially people who live out here and have been living out here for years," adds another annoymous woman.
Police still have not confirmed gangs are behind last night's shooting but they are investigating that possibility. This, as neighbors hold on to hope that there's another explanation. "There is a lot of misconception about the gang going around. Evansville gang related, no. There is a bunch of kids around here who don't have anything to do," says a woman. "We don't' really have a lot for teenagers to do here." But, with reports of gang-style vandalism to three different homes in this area recently, police and neighbors know gangs are aroundand making their presence known. "There it was plain as day. The first thought was who might have done it," says the victim of the vandalism. This woman, also afraid to go on camera, is the latest tagging target. In her thirty years living in this home, she's never had this kind of problem. "I just think it's sad that things get this bad in Evansville. I hope they can correct and resolve this issue and maybe catch some of the folks that are doing this."
Worry that a shooting near Evansville's southside could be gang-related has residents in this area thinking about their safety a little more tonight. In fact, many are so worried, they didn't want to be identified for fear of becoming the next target. "I live like four blocks away. I've seen probably fifteen times a day the police go through our parking lot. There has been an increase in violence in Evansville. There absolutely has since me, growing up here, I've seen a big change and it's scary," says an annoymous woman. "I'm sure there are people around here who are scared. Especially people who live out here and have been living out here for years," adds another annoymous woman.
Police still have not confirmed gangs are behind last night's shooting but they are investigating that possibility. This, as neighbors hold on to hope that there's another explanation. "There is a lot of misconception about the gang going around. Evansville gang related, no. There is a bunch of kids around here who don't have anything to do," says a woman. "We don't' really have a lot for teenagers to do here." But, with reports of gang-style vandalism to three different homes in this area recently, police and neighbors know gangs are aroundand making their presence known. "There it was plain as day. The first thought was who might have done it," says the victim of the vandalism. This woman, also afraid to go on camera, is the latest tagging target. In her thirty years living in this home, she's never had this kind of problem. "I just think it's sad that things get this bad in Evansville. I hope they can correct and resolve this issue and maybe catch some of the folks that are doing this."
