Who on earth is Brian Skeeters?
Well, Illinois Times readers voted him best up-and-coming leader. And they designated his ongoing endeavor, Sangamon County Crime Watch, the best local Facebook page.
Those are pretty lofty laurels for a 44-year-old man who became a father at 14, was nearly killed by the Springfield police when he threatened others with a gun and has overcome addictions to drugs and alcohol.
Today more than 55,000 people have joined the Crime Watch Facebook page to see Skeeters' take on what's happening in Sangamon County. Employed by Laborers Local 477, he spends his work breaks, nights and weekends relaying information to his loyal following. But unlike most reporters, he doesn't go to the police station, notebook in hand. Instead, he listens to police radio traffic on his scanner and reports what he hears.
"I listen for updates and I edit the posts accordingly," he said. "I don't come from a journalism background other than I used to love writing."
His page features lost dogs, car wrecks, shots fired and a litany of community misbehavior, often relayed with his own folksy commentary.
Misconduct is nothing new for Skeeters.
"You can only be at gunpoint by police so many times before you realize that it's probably not a good plan. It's not going to turn out right. So, at that point, that was the last drop of alcohol I ever had," he said.
"I've been sober since," Skeeters said of his youthful transgressions. "I was not in the right state of mind. I had pulled (my gun) out locked and loaded and I was threatening people, and it was just a horrible mess."
He said he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor aggravated assault with a firearm.
Today, instead of being in the back seat of a police car, he rides up front beside the officer.
"I highly recommend everybody do a ride along," he said. "And if you really want to get into the thick of it, take an overnight shift on a weekend. It's definitely eye-opening."
