Michiana Crime Stoppers is encouraging community members to help combat gun violence in the area with the rollout of a new program that increases the reward for tips leading to felony arrests.

The Victory Over Violence campaign offers an increased reward of $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest or solving of a felony committed with a firearm.

In 2021 alone, there were 1,120 cases of gun violence in South Bend, Crime Stoppers announced.  

The increased reward applies to the specific gun-related crimes of shootings, armed robberies, felony weapons possessions, intimidation with a deadly weapon, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assaults.

The increased reward does not apply to warrants for one of the above cases. It only applies to new crimes. 

Since the program officially began on February 1, Michiana Crime Stoppers has paid out two cases.

In January, Crime Stoppers increased their reward to $2,500 for homicide cases.

“We know that our fight against violence in our community is going to take the whole community’s effort,” said Mayor James Mueller. “And we need your help to make this possible.”

Michiana Crime Stoppers is an anonymous tip service. Community members with information that could lead to the arrest of a criminal can call 800-342-STOP or 574-288-STOP to leave an anonymous tip.