Police partnership leads to lower crime rates in Benton Harbor and Benton Charter Township

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. — After partnering up to lower crime rates in September of 2024, the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety and Benton Charter Township Police Department are starting to see tangible results.

Benton Harbor has seen a 75% drop in shootings and 70% decline in car thefts, while the township reports a 50% drop in shootings as well.

ABC57’s Dante Stanton sat down with Benton Township Chief of Police, Gregory Abrams, who shared the raw numbers behind that data.

Benton Harbor Mayor, Marcus Muhammad, says he’s seen the police departments in both communities strengthen their relationship with residents, a growth that culminated in record attendance for their annual “National Police Night Out” event.

The department’s also host a weekly “Chat with the Chief” YouTube stream on Thursday’s at 1 p.m. to answer questions from the public directly.