Mother fights for safer neighborhood

After 24-year-old De-Mar Bester was shot and killed in his Rock Island neighborhood last year, his mother is on a mission to make a difference.    Othea Stevenson started the initiative “Lights, Camera, Action” to push for installation of security cameras and more street lights in Rock Island.    One neighborhood in particular stands out for Stevenson, Glenhurst Court, after her son was shot in a nearby alley.    Glenhurst Court is a block tucked away between 11th street and 12th street in Rock Island. There are doors falling off the hinges, garbage scattered in the streets, and trees falling into houses.    Stevenson says the unlivable conditions in this neighborhood add to the violence.    “I have a purpose driven,” said Stevenson. “I have a purpose driven ever since my son died in this area. I have a purpose driven you know what I mean to make sure Rock Island is safe any way I can.”   For Bester’s family, their main concern is the safety of kids passing by the houses on their way to and from school.    “We don’t want to see somebody else go through what we’ve been through,” said Leann Quinn, De-Mar’s sister-in-law.    “It’s not safe for children,” said Stevenson. “It’s hazardous for children to even walk past. There’s doors hanging, there’s broken windows, we need to do something about these houses.”      Although Stevenson lives in Missouri, she makes the more than four hour drive once a month to meet with Rock Island city officials.    “Let’s tear down, let’s rebuild, and let’s start keeping the kids in this community safe,” said Stevenson.   For Bester’s family, while they’re constantly reminded of their loss, it’s De-Mar’s legacy that keeps them going.    “I know he’s happy, I know he’s proud. I know he would do the same thing for one of us,” said Sheen Gray, De-Mar’s oldest sister.    “Lets start showing that we care,” said Stevenson. “Lets start bringing the love back that we need to bring back in this community. You know what I mean? So we won’t be divided, let’s all come together and do something about these situations.”   The Rock Island Police Department has started installing security cameras and street lights and plan to add more in the near future.    Stevenson plans to continue to meet with Rock Island city officials about tearing down the abandoned houses, but no official plans have been made at this time.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7sMHRqqyanJOewaqx0meaqKVfo7K4v46mpq2glad6p7XGoausZZakv26%2FwJ%2Bcq2WemraotMGoqaGnn5l8