Mount Zion residents want body cameras for police officers

MOUNT ZION — Residents of a village in central Illinois are calling on all of its officers to be equipped with body cameras following the police-involved shooting death of a 17-year-old Justus Howell.

The Chicago Tribune reports about 150 people attended a city council meeting Tuesday in Mount Zion, where more than two dozen members of the Zion-Benton Ministerial Association made the plea for body cameras.

Pastor Robert Williams of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, a member of the association, said the ministers also would like the city to hire a community liaison officer who can assist in communication between the police department and the community.

Mayor-elect Al Hill and new members of the city council are expected to consider the group’s proposal at the next meeting.