With this past week's outbreak of deadly shootings- the public, along with local media, including WFFT- have all pressured Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry and Police Chief Rusty York for a plan to curb the violence.
Today, they held a press conference to address the issue.
Of the twelve murders this year, two were from police action, and one was from twenty years ago.
That means nine were from violent crimes this year.
Those nine killings are well ahead of last year's thirty, and at today's press conference, York says some of those are gang related.
"The majority, as the mayor said, are gang, drug or in the last one, domestic, a domestic violence type of situation," York says.
Henry says they are going to increase the police presence in south Fort Wayne.
"It's our plan now, if city council agrees, to add on more police officers, to put on another class, which we haven't had in a while, because we've lacked resources," Henry says.
He says extra officers should slow down this string of shootings- up to five this past week.
"That is some gang stuff over there, like all the shootings, you know? It was pretty much gang related," says southeast resident David Cracrafp.
Craycrafp has lived in his southeast street for six months.
He says he's seen enough to know something has been going on.
"Yea, I've heard gun shots... Cars, accidents right here on the corner, I mean, there's a bunch of stuff going on that needs to be done," Craycrafp.
Most of the graffiti on this house has been painted over.
But neighbors say it's a sign of increased gang activity.
"It's horrible. Especially in our neighborhood, and we have to see that stuff every day. It's the first time that they have tagged a whole building," says a southeast resident who asked not to be named.
Both Henry and York say they need people to report these crimes.
Today, they held a press conference to address the issue.
Of the twelve murders this year, two were from police action, and one was from twenty years ago.
That means nine were from violent crimes this year.
Those nine killings are well ahead of last year's thirty, and at today's press conference, York says some of those are gang related.
"The majority, as the mayor said, are gang, drug or in the last one, domestic, a domestic violence type of situation," York says.
Henry says they are going to increase the police presence in south Fort Wayne.
"It's our plan now, if city council agrees, to add on more police officers, to put on another class, which we haven't had in a while, because we've lacked resources," Henry says.
He says extra officers should slow down this string of shootings- up to five this past week.
"That is some gang stuff over there, like all the shootings, you know? It was pretty much gang related," says southeast resident David Cracrafp.
Craycrafp has lived in his southeast street for six months.
He says he's seen enough to know something has been going on.
"Yea, I've heard gun shots... Cars, accidents right here on the corner, I mean, there's a bunch of stuff going on that needs to be done," Craycrafp.
Most of the graffiti on this house has been painted over.
But neighbors say it's a sign of increased gang activity.
"It's horrible. Especially in our neighborhood, and we have to see that stuff every day. It's the first time that they have tagged a whole building," says a southeast resident who asked not to be named.
Both Henry and York say they need people to report these crimes.
