South Bend Group Violence Intervention holds press conference to address rising gun violence

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- South Bend Group Violence Intervention held a press conference on Wednesday at the intersection of Ford Street and Chicago Street, highlighting the increase in violence being seen across the city's West side.

There have been eight gun-related incidents since the beginning of June in this particular area, which has led to neighbors sleeping in their basements in fear of stray bullet or even completely moving out.

"We've had a total of more than a hundred shots fired just from June first to July eighteenth," said South Bend Group Violence Intervention Project Manager Isaac Hunt.  "What about our elderly and our children in this area? We don't want residents to have to sell their homes or not be able to sit on their porches or not have their kids be able to play."

City leaders joined the Group Violence Intervention team in canvassing the area and speaking with neighbors about the issue.

They note an increased police presence and more attention being directed towards the violence plaguing the West side.

"I can tell they’re trying to do the right thing by the way I see them parking their police cars," said Kathryn Wetland, who has lived across from the intersection of Ford and Chicago Streets for years.  "They're really, really trying, I see that."

For more information on the South Bend Group Violence Intervention team and what they do to help stop violence in the area, visit their website.