Springfield, IL. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Recent shootings in Springfield were on the mind Tuesday night of Ward 8 Alderwoman Erin Conley.  She said she senses unease among residents in not just in her ward, but across the city.

“What are we looking to do to really make an impact on the amount of guns in our city an the way these guns are being used in our community?” was the question she posed to Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette.

Chief Scarlette said that year to date, his department has already recovered 424 firearms and is on pace to recover a record number of weapons. He also stated the importance of the City investing in the youth of the community.

Some attendees still expressed anger over how the City’s homeless population is being served.

Resident Bradley Russell took councilmembers to task for arresting the homeless, drawing a parallel between the history of arresting people for vagrancy.

On a lighter note, it was Mayor Buscher’s birthday, and she was serenaded with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” by The Mayor’s Youth Council, who gave a presentation before the Council.