180 Degrees
Want an inside look at a yearlong project by journalists at the newspaper and the Web site to help Rockford solve serious problems and turn around? We’re focusing on five areas that are key to our way of life in the Rock River Valley: Crime, education, the local economy, state and local government and our culture/sense of place. Would you like to help us in this campaign to bring about change? Give us your ideas and insights and help guide us to better solutions for Rockford. You can join the conversation here.

Posts filed under 'Campaign'

How has crime affected you?

Add comment May 6th, 2008

We met this afternoon to talk about the 180 Degrees campaign. We’re looking at five areas that are essential to this community’s way of life: Crime, education, local economy, government and culture/our sense of place. We kicked off the project last week online and have been posting your comments as we get them. We’re now focusing on crime.

Crime affects us all. Some directly. Some indirectly. Though the crime rate remains high, it has declined in Rockford and across the nation. Still, the perception in Rockford is that crime has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods. We would like to know what role crime has played in your life. How has crime affected you?

Write a brief essay, 500 words or less, and tell us what you think. Feel free to send photos, letters or anything else explains your situation. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want the items returned.

Write to us at the Rockford Register Star, Rockford Crime, 99 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61104. Or e-mail us at onlinenews@rrstar.com. Please put Rockford Crime in the subject line. Also, include your full name, address and telephone number in case we have any questions. All submissions may be edited for length, accuracy and clarity and may be published or distributed in print or electronic forms.

Kicking off 180 Degrees

Add comment May 2nd, 2008

We officially introduced our campaign this morning on rrstar.com. And the response (based on page views) has been strong.

The highlights for me are the video stories produced by videographer Alan Leon. There’s this one about retired police officer Sherri Glover, who was shot in her squad car while she filled out reports. And this one featuring Rockford residents Amy Hill and Willie Ashford, who have watched their west-side neighborhood deteriorate. You’ll also find links to videos of the key staffers behind this effort here.

180 Degrees

In Sunday’s paper, look for our print coverage in the Opinions section.