West Side shootings have city residents upset, scared of retaliation

SOUTH BEND, IN -- Grace Brasch has lived on South Bend's West Side for the last eight years, and in that time, she's seen it all.

"Since I lived in this household, there has been a lot of drama. There were a lot of drug dealers, but they all moved," said Brasch.

Brasch said people in the neighborhood are working hard to make it a better place to live, but recent shootings have made it harder to do.

"I still live here, and I'm worried about my security," said Brasch. "I've got three kids, and I'm just worried about my household."

She said if the neighborhood is going to get better, some things have to change. She wants more police presence, but also, for the city's many vacant houses to be torn down.

"I'd like to have it cleaned up, with all of these vacant houses around, I'm scared. Drug dealers and junkies use these houses for activity.”

Despite her and her neighbor's many complaints, the city has yet to act.

"I feel I need a bond with them," said Brasch.

And until that bond is made, she's going to keep on living her life like she always has.