Fort Wayne saw an increase in crime in 2016, and this year the city wants to reverse that trend.
The overall crime rate increased by 12 percent in 2016, aided largely by increases in vehicle theft (25 percent), assault (18 percent) and burglary (15 percent).
Mayor Tom Henry says this is an issue other communities around the state are experiencing.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with other mayors in other communities, and we’re all searching for best practices relating to addressing criminal activity in our communities,” said Henry.
As a result, the city and the Fort Wayne Police Department are working together on several initiatives to try and bring the crime rate down. One of these initiatives is the creation of the Street Crimes Unit.
Police chief Steve Reed says five officers and a supervisor will operate the Street Crimes Unit, and respond to thefts and burglaries. Reed says these crimes are often committed to help fund a person’s drug addiction, and that a multi-layer approach is needed.
“We’re going to come at it from the distribution side, working with the state police, sheriff and the DEA,” Reed said. “And we’re going to attack it from the street level; we’re working with the health commissioner and resources for those people, once we get them, to get help.”
Other plans from the city and Fort Wayne Police Department include hiring 28 more officers in the next year, and adding more officers to other crime units.
