South Bend PD tracking shootings with new implementations

SOUTH BEND, Ind.- Police in South Bend are investigating a rash of shootings across the city, including one incident that left 6 people wounded.

South Bend Police Spokesman Ken Garcia tells ABC57 the numbers are actually down from what they were last year thanks to new implementations

“I believe our numbers are down from what they were this time last year,” says Garcia.

According to the South Bend Police dash board, in relation to criminally assaulted shootings, in January 2017 to March 2017 there was a total of 19.

“You’re seeing the exact same data that we see,” adds Garcia.

This year for the same number of months, it’s six. However, March numbers are not in yet.

Garcia says since the addition of a strategic focus unit they’ve noticed some change. “Their job is to go find where these hotspots are in our city and reorganizing and better focusing on where we’re going to be putting our resources.”

While sitting in bi-weekly meetings they’re able to talk about previous crime and really, what needs to be done.

“Working with the community and through an Intel gathering we can learn about what is bubbling in the city,” says Garcia.

He adds there’s a minimum of 19 officers that are out on patrol or one officer per beat, but really that’s not enough to combat the crime happening in the South Bend community.

“At the end of the day, the police department is only a small fraction of this,” says Garcia. “Yes, we are law enforcement, but it will really take a community effort.”

One way Garcia explained it is police are part of the community, not apart from it.

“We need everyone involved,” he says. “We are one part of a larger group necessary to help reduce crime in our community.”

Garcia, along with the South Bend Police Department, invites you to attend crime meetings held the first Thursday of every month at 6:45 p.m. at the police department.