BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Since adding additional troopers from Michigan State Police, Benton Harbor’s Fifth District Crime Prevention Squad has been able to lower the number of violent crimes in the area.

Benton Harbor’s additional crime squad members have been helping the city see the number of reports for gun violence and reported shooting decrease since they joined on August 11.

The added troopers have also assisted Benton Harbor police in making more arrests connected to crimes involving drugs and illegal weapon possession.

These policing efforts have helped the city of Benton Harbor during and after the community’s “21 Days of Peace” initiative to lower the number of shootings and violent crimes in the area.