Collier Court a “Hot Spot”

A shooting on Collier Court on Thursday has many neighbors pointing out it’s a hot spot for violence and things need to change.”Years ago it used to feel really safe but over time it’s slowly gotten worse,” neighbor Whitney Johnson said, “Not many people feel safe here any more with all the shootings going on.”According to the Cole County Sheriff’s department, they are increasing patrols in the Collier Court area to help the violence.”We have patrols in the area quite a bit. But unfortunately with our budget we can’t afford to have someone there and keep them there,” Captain John Wheeler said.Neighbors welcome more police but worry it might not solve the problem. “A few officers patrolling doesn’t make me feel safer because if someone is going to do something they’re going to do it,” Johnson said. Other neighbors encourage more people to get involved in the neighborhood watch program to look out for each other.The man involved in the shooting, Elonzo Johnson, is in the Cole County Jail. His bond is set at $150,000.