Hoping to address mounting racial tension through conversation, Peoria Police Community Relations created “Project TIP – Together in Peoria.”

Project TIP consisted of fifteen three-day retreats for a group made up of nine policemen, nine black Peorians, and four business leaders. The retreats were intended to clear up “areas of misunderstanding” throughout the year.

A fund drive to raise the $85,000 needed for Project TIP was set to commence in fifteen days.