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SOUTH B E N D AUGUST 2006 a il't ar,Mayoe STCpt{cn L Luecke 41 ' Letter from the Mayor THIS MONTH... Mayor's Letter Dear Neighbors: Studebaker Demolition Update ArtBeat 2006 The senseless acts of violence during the past few weeks have deeply Utilities Online saddened and angered me. I am heartsick for the victims—and for their families TRIAD Prescription Drop and friends. I am concerned for the neighbors near the crime scenes who have become fearful in their own homes. I am upset at the image that this gives to South Bend. I want to report to you the initiatives we are undertaking to keep III South Bend safe, and to ask for your help. This is not a problem just for the police, or the Mayor, or some other group out �-/- there. This is our prob- • • lem. Together we can , .,,_.L..... say"Enough is enough!" III and reclaim our neighborhoods. _ STUDEBAKER DEMOLITION When I became mayor in 1997 there UPDATE had been a spike in crime for several years The City of South Bend,partnering across the country. South Bend suffered with J& L Management and Transpo, from the same negative influences that affected other cities. I have worked with continues to move forward with the the police and the community to make our city safer and we have made good Studebaker Stamping Plant Demolition. progress. Last year the number of crimes reported in South Bend was down The project is on budget and 30 days 31% from the total in 1996. Similar progress has been reported across the ahead of schedule. The demolition of the country. Some of the reduction was due to changes in demographics and a former Stamping Plant is Phase I in our settling out of the drug trade. Some was luck. Much of the success was due to effort to redevelop the former improved policing,with dedicated officers, strong leadership,new strategies and Studebaker Plant south of Sample Street. better equipment. An important factor has been Community Policing -our It is a significant step forward in partnership with neighbors and businesses to make South Bend safer. reclaiming and redeveloping the former The increased violence that plagues communities across the nation is a Studebaker Corridor. Studebaker complex problem. In South Bend we are taking a multifaceted approach to that Demolition Phase B is now underway, problem. First and foremost I am concerned about the easy availability of guns. with the demolition of the former One of the greatest threats to public safety everywhere is that of illegal guns. Huckins Tool&Die building on Prairie Disputes that once were settled by fistfights now end in murder. I have joined Avenue. with Mayors and law enforcement agencies across the country to seek ways to The City is designing plans for new reduce access to illegal guns. Locally,we have joined with federal officials and roadways and infrastructure in prepara- other law enforcement agencies to ensure that criminals using guns are pros- tion for future development of a new ecuted to the maximum extent of the law. Other proactive police programs industrial park. In addition,TRANSPO include joint task forces on domestic violence, gangs, drugs and major crimes. is working to secure final funding for Our NEST and SWAT units respond to critical incidents. We often bring in extra construction of its new headquarters, officers on overtime to do special patrols in areas that have seen a spike in which will represent a$12M investment criminal activity. In addition to strict enforcement, our South Bend Police in the new light industrial park. In early Department is working to build partnerships with the community. Bike patrols, July, they released their request for Weed& Seed and Operation Cease Fire are among the ways that we reach out to architectural and engineering proposals the community. School Resource Officers in area schools help to establish for the new facility. positive relationships between students and the police, encouraging respect for The completion of the Stamping the work that they do. Police officers also reach out to young people through Plant Demolition willbring total demoli- the Summer Youth Recreation Program and through impromptu cookouts in tion to 3.5 million square feet or 3/o of neighborhoods. the entire Studebaker/Oliver Redevelop- These strategies have been effective, but we need your help. We need you ment Area. More importantly, the City is to report suspicious activity, to call Crime Stoppers,to join Neighborhood Watch returning this strategic area in the heart or your neighborhood organization. We invite you to participate in our Citizens of South Bend back to productive Police Academy,which offers residents the opportunity to learn more about local economic use. -Mayor's Letter continued on back page-