Protesters interrupt Flossmoor forum after 64-year-old woman shot dead by police

FLOSSMOOR, Ailing. (WLS) — There have been tense moments on Saturday afternoon in Flossmoor months after the police capturing of Madeline Miller.

The 64-year-old was shot and killed in July after police stated she charged at officers with a knife whereas they responded to a home dispute.

In an try to maneuver ahead, Flossmoor police and village leaders are facilitating conversations with residents.

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“We’re a neighborhood that is hurting and we’ve got to maneuver ahead and have an open dialogue to collect concepts from our residents,” stated Flossmoor Police Chief Tod Kamleiter.

A small group of protesters rallied outdoors Saturday’s occasion at Parker Junior Excessive.

They imagine Miller was having a psychological disaster when she was killed. They’re demanding the officers concerned to be fired and a change to who responds to sure emergency calls.

“Which might deliver psychological well being professions… a medic on website to those psychological well being disaster calls to forestall police killings from taking place,” stated Casey, a demonstrator.

Protesters interrupted elements of Saturday’s assembly whereas different residents went into breakout rooms to debate neighborhood policing.

“We appeared to have the beginning of what may very well be productive conversations,” stated Christina Roberts, who participated in the neighborhood assembly.

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Lorraine Bowman additionally participated.

“One of many issues we talked about in our session was how a lot coaching are the police attending to be taught to de-escalate totally different conditions,” she stated.

Kamleiter stated the hope is to have extra of those conferences and conversations with the neighborhood within the close to future. A few of the individuals there Saturday welcome that concept and stated they’re optimistic this might result in change.

“It might … I believe we’ve got an excellent neighborhood that wishes to vary and we have a good time range right here,” Roberts stated.

Illinois State Police are nonetheless investigating using pressure from the July capturing because the Flossmoor police chiefs stated the division continues to have conversations with Miller’s household.

“They’re tough conversations, however they’re essential, so we’ll proceed that and have open conversations with them,” Kamleiter stated.

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