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Home My WebLink About2026 Q1 PublicSafetyUpdate_4-16-26City of South Bend Indiana City of South Bend Indiana Public Safety Update City of South Bend April 16, 2026 City of South Bend Indiana Welcome Purpose of the Quarterly Update 1.Provide high-level view of violent crime in each quarter 2.Dive deeper into strategies by SBPD and partners 3.Share information on upcoming events and ways to get involved City of South Bend Indiana City of South Bend Indiana Today’s Agenda •Announcements from the Mayor and Police Chief •Data Review •Strategies & Programs •Events & Engagement City of South Bend Indiana Announcements City of South Bend Indiana School's Out Cookout •Friday, June 12 •11 a.m. - 2 p.m. •MLK Jr. Dream Center •Free food, drinks, games, giveaways and the famous SBPD bounce house! City of South Bend Indiana Citizens Police Academy Graduation •Spring Citizens Academy happening now •11-week free program •Graduation coming up on May 5 City of South Bend Indiana Measure2026 Q1 Total Total Number of Hires (Not yet sworn)10 Total Sworn 242 (+ 10 recruits) Total Number of Departures (Retired/Resigned)12 Officer gap from most recent peak to current (July 2019 vs. Current) 241 vs. 242 Recruitment & Hiring City of South Bend Indiana •Data Note: Data in this section is cumulative for the calendar year, unless otherwise noted. It reflects totals through the end of the most recently completed quarter. Any year-over-year comparisons are made using the same time frame from the previous year (e.g., Q1–Q3 2024 vs. Q1–Q3 2025). Data Review City of South Bend Indiana Gun Violence Snapshot Data Notes: *Gun violence incidents encompass any incidents involving a gun, making it a broader category than just shootings **Victim counts do not include accidental shootings, suicides or shootings that have been determined as self-defense *** Data runs through 1/1 – 3/31 City of South Bend Indiana City of South Bend Indiana Criminally Assaulted Shooting (CAS) Victims Through Q1 2026 •Between January and March 2026, there were 10 criminally assaulted shooting victims. •This reflects an increase compared to the same period last year but remains below the five-year Q1 average of 15 victims. •4 fatal shootings through Q1 2026. •Data runs through 1/1 – 3/31 (60%) City of South Bend Indiana City of South Bend Indiana SBPD Death Investigations Update •REMINDER:Every murder is a homicide, but not every homicide is a murder. 2026 YTD Homicide Investigations 7 Justified 2 Reckless 0 Murder 5 Total Death Investigations 8 Total Murder Victims 5 City of South Bend Indiana Michiana Crime Stoppers Update Q1 2026 Stats Cases 63 Stolen Property/Narcotics Recovered $1,765 Rewards Authorized $6,950 Arrests 48 Firearms Recovered 0 City of South Bend Indiana Crime Stoppers Shredding Event City of South Bend Indiana •Data Note: Data in this section is cumulative for the calendar year, unless otherwise noted. It reflects totals through the end of the most recently completed quarter. Any year-over-year comparisons are made using the same time frame from the previous year (e.g., Q1–Q3 2024 vs. Q1–Q3 2025). Strategies & Programs City of South Bend Indiana City of South Bend Indiana Traffic Enforcement & Safety Strategy Traffic Stops •From January – March 2026, there were 3,598 traffic stops. This represents a 46% increase compared to the same period last year. •An average of 40 traffic stops per day during the quarter. •Data includes stops for traffic violations only City of South Bend Indiana City of South Bend Indiana Traffic Enforcement & Safety Strategy Vehicle Collisions •This slide summarizes vehicle collision data through Q1 2026, with comparisons to the same period in 2025. •Through Q1 2026, there have been 825 vehicle collisions. Based on collision reports, 0% resulted in a fatality, and 24.7% resulted in injury. •Data runs through 1/1 – 3/31 • City of South Bend Indiana City of South Bend Indiana Traffic Enforcement & Safety Strategy Vehicle Collisions •The first table shows the intersections with the most collisions through Q1 2026. •The second compares 2025’s highest-collision locations to Q1 2026 to highlight shifts and ongoing areas of focus. •Data runs through 1/1 – 3/31 •Collision count based on a 100ft radius from intersection Current Year: Top 5 Intersections by Collision Count (through Q1 2026) Intersection Collisions CHAPIN ST,W SAMPLE ST 9 E JEFFERSON BLVD,S TWYCKENHAM DR 7 N BENDIX DR,W CLEVELAND RD 6 E SAMPLE ST,LINCOLN WAY E 6 N EDDY ST,SOUTH BEND AVE 6 Prior Year: Top 5 Intersections by Collision Count in 2025 (includes Q1 2026 comparison) Intersection 2025 2025 Q1 2026 Q1 W IRELAND RD, S MICHIGAN ST 21 9 4 SOUTH BEND AVE, IRONWOOD RD 19 5 6 E SAMPLE ST, LINCOLN WAY E 18 1 6 CHAPIN ST, W SAMPLE ST 16 7 9 PORTAGE RD, W CLEVELAND RD 15 5 2 City of South Bend Indiana Fusus/Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) What The Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) leverages the Fusus platform to bring together integrated cameras and other public safety related tools in a centralized hub. Who South Bend Police Department How •Uses integrated cameras and other public safety technologies to provide a more real-time understanding of incidents •30-day photo retention on cloud server •Limited users with an administrator for account reviews City of South Bend Indiana City of South Bend Indiana Snapshot of RTCC Case Assists City of South Bend Indiana RTCC Success Stories A few cases demonstrating the value of RTCC cameras Situation: An armed robbery occurred in the 1900 block of S Marine St. Cameras helped: RTCC analysts used footage to identify individuals matching the suspect description Analysts shared updated locations and photos with officers, which assisted in identifying a residence connected to the suspects. A search warrant was executed, resulting in two detentions and the recovery of three BB guns. Search Warrant Executed Situation: Hit and Run Cameras helped: An individual was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene. RTCC analysts used camera footage and Flock to identify the suspect vehicle and a related vehicle, leading to license plate identification and associated addresses. Information was shared with officers, resulting in the suspect being located and arrested. Arrest City of South Bend Indiana RTCC Success Stories A few cases demonstrating the value of RTCC cameras Situation: An armed robbery occurred in the 1900 block of S Marine St. Cameras helped: RTCC analysts used footage to identify individuals matching the suspect description Analysts shared updated locations and photos with officers, which assisted in identifying a residence connected to the suspects. A search warrant was executed, resulting in two detentions and the recovery of three BB guns. Search Warrant Executed Situation: Hit and Run Cameras helped: An individual was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene. RTCC analysts used camera footage and Flock to identify the suspect vehicle and a related vehicle, leading to license plate identification and associated addresses. Information was shared with officers, resulting in the suspect being located and arrested. Arrest City of South Bend Indiana •Automated air support that complements officers, analysts, and fire department responses •Responds to high-priority calls: crashes, fires, missing persons, water rescues, shootings, robberies, and more •Average response time: 86 seconds, two minutes faster than patrol officers •Flies at max FAA-permitted altitude with camera fixed on horizon •Pilots relay initial scene observations to approaching officers •All pilots are FAA Part 107-certified; majority are civilian crime analysts •Flight Dashboard publicly available at southbendin.gov/dfr Drone as First Responder Program (DFR) City of South Bend Indiana DFR Success Stories A few cases demonstrating the value of the drone as first responder Situation: Attempted traffic stop resulting in a pursuit that was terminated for safety. DFR helped: A Crime Analyst/Drone Pilot continued monitoring the suspect’s movements after the pursuit ended and located the rider hiding in the 600 block of River Avenue. The analyst relayed the location to officers, resulting in an arrest and the recovery of a stolen firearm. Arrest; Firearm Recovered Situation: Disturbance DFR helped: Locate the disturbance suspect throwing items and breaking windows at a residence using the thermal camera. An analyst was able to track the suspect and provide information to officers, resulting in suspect location and arrest. Arrest City of South Bend Indiana Flock LPR What Technology-based crime reduction strategy to develop possible leads in criminal cases and keep community safe from outside threats. Who South Bend Police Department How •Utilizes cameras near major thoroughfares •30-day photo retention on cloud server •Limited users with an administrator for account reviews and audits City of South Bend Indiana Measure Q1 2026 Motor Vehicle Thefts 10 Aggravated Assaults with Firearm 7 Homicide Investigations 3 Theft Investigations 5 Wanted Parties 0 Robbery 1 Other 11 Total 37 Snapshot of FLOCK Case Assists City of South Bend Indiana Resource Router (previously ShotSpotter Connect) What Resource Router is a software that provides unbiased, evidence and fact-based direction on where to deploy officers and other department resources and when. Who South Bend Police Department How •Resource Router collects data on case reports,statements, and evidence from the last 24 hours each morning •Compares to current and past trends from the last three years; prioritizing gun violence •Monitors officer responsiveness and accountability through GPS City of South Bend Indiana Measure Q1 2026 Total number of Resource Router missions 6,501 Average number of missions per day 72 (24/shift) Missions completed 99.6% Resource Router Missions •There were a total of 6,501 Resource Router missions in Q1 2026 •SBPD maintained a 99.6% mission completion rate and an average of 72 missions per day •Data is only for Q1 City of South Bend Indiana Have feedback or further questions? South Bend Police Department Ashley O’Chap (574) 235-7527 Additional Resources SBPD Facebook facebook.com/SouthBendPD SBPD Website police.southbendin.gov Police Transparency Hub southbendin.gov/police-transparency City of South Bend Indiana City of South Bend Indiana Public Safety Update City of South Bend April 16, 2026 City of South Bend Indiana Events & Engagement City of South Bend Indiana Wednesday 13 May Monthly Community Crime Stat Meetings •2nd Wednesday of the month •6:30 Upcoming Community Engagement Events Friday 15 May Annual Police Memorial Service •7:30 p.m. •SBPD Friday 12 June School's Out Cookout •11 a.m. - 2 p.m. •MLK Jr. Dream Center