Mayor Mueller reflects on 2024, shows where to grow in 2025 State of the City address

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re headed next. That’s what South Bend Mayor James Mueller talked about during the 2025 State of the City address.

“I am pleased to report that the state of our city continues to be the strongest in generations. Measures of public safety and growth are among the best they have been at any point in my lifetime, and the lifetimes of all but our longest living residents,” said Mayor Mueller.

From a decrease in major crime, an uptick in affordable housing and development, to navigating changes from the white house, Mayor Mueller highlighted both the growth we’ve already seen over 2024, and where they hope to improve in 2025.

“Last year major crimes were down by 11% compared to 2023, and down nearly 30% from the most recent pre-pandemic peak in 2019. Despite more progress, these numbers are still too high, and we must work together as a community to address the root causes of crime… shooting victims were down 22% last year, and fatal shooting victims fell to 5 from 20 in 2023, a 75% decrease. The number of total murders, 7, was the lowest since 2010,” said Mayor Mueller.

Among the more heavy-hitting topics Mueller discussed were some policy changes from upper government.

“We will have to navigate around extreme anti-growth policies from higher levels of government, and we all must power through the seemingly daily chaos from Washington that threatens to derail our entire economy,” said Mayor Mueller.

In a chat with ABC57 after the address, Mueller elaborated on some of those changes. He said some of the cuts from The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have had direct impacts here at home, and they will have to consider those changes over the next year.

“We do know that some of the cuts to federal research dollars have led to local job losses already, and so we’ll continue to monitor that but this is moving so fast and so chaotically, it’s hard to keep track,” said Mayor Mueller.

He said no matter the situation, South Bend will continue to grow.

“South Bend’s best days are ahead. We’re not going back to days of decline. We will not allow saboteurs to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. South Bend knows what’s true, South Bend knows what’s right, the South Bend way will prevail,” shared Mayor Mueller.

To view Mayor Mueller’s full remarks, click here.