City leaders join west side neighbors in prayer after violent weekend
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Prayer replaces the sound of gunshots on South Bend’s west side following a weekend shooting.
“Prayer is powerful,” says Londy Perkins, Vigil Organizer and Director of Religious Educations.
A total of five people were shot this weekend in South Bend, and one shooting alone injuring four on the corner of Huron and Olive streets.
That’s where neighbors were joined by the mayor and police chief responding to the violent weekend through prayer.
“I said, ‘We need to send a message with love,’” Perkins recalls.
Perkins is one of those advocates encouraging change after seeing firsthand how the violence affects her young students at St. Adalbert's and the neighborhood surrounding the church.
South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski says Wednesday night’s message of love and peace needs to extend to the ears of those causing the violence.
“Maybe they will take that message, hopefully they will take that message back to the people who really need to hear it,” Chief Ruszkowski hopes.
With multiple city leaders joining in prayer, neighbors hope this prayer turns into action.
“We also need the community, not just to help our officers get information and help the justice system hold the violent offenders to account, but we also need the community to come together to make sure we’re addressing the root causes of this,” says Mayor James Mueller.
Addressing the cause so the west side can stop feeling the effects.
“We need to figure out ways to lift up our kids,” Mayor James Mueller says. “Show them the path of opportunity and hope, and why it’s way better than the path of violence.”
“To see the faces smiling again, to see the hearts not so stressful and not affecting our young kids,” wishes Perkins.
Chief Ruszkowski and Mayor Mueller both reiterated the importance of community members speaking up if they know anything about the violence in this city.
People can leave an anonymous tip with Michiana Crime Stoppers by calling 574-288-STOP.