P R E S S R E L E A S E August 16, 2013 12:30pm - STOP Team makes Drug Bust

P R E S S  R E L E A S E

August 16, 2013

12:30pm

Chief Mark J. Becker, East Chicago, Indiana Police Department today released the following information:

On August 15, 2013 at approximately 5:50pm, a vehicle occupied Timothy Pearson, 

34 years of age and Kevin Rhodes, 40 years of age, was curbed by an officer assigned to the department’s recently established “STOP Team”.  The officer had been patrolling the area of Guthrie and Deodar Streets, East Chicago, Indiana when he recognized Pearson to be in the vehicle.  The officer had prior knowledge of the existence of an arrest warrant was on file for Pearson and proceeded to curb the vehicle.

Pearson’s arrest warrant was based on a recent traffic stop made earlier this week, again initiated by a STOP Team officer, who at that time had found him to be in possession of marijuana.  Rhodes was also found to have outstanding arrest warrants on file with East Chicago Police as well as with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Both Pearson and Rhodes are residents of East Chicago.

At the time of the traffic stop last night, as the officer approached the vehicle, he observed a clear plastic bag containing a green leaf like substance, consistent in appearance with that of marijuana, to be sitting on top of the gear shift control.  Both suspects were taken into custody.

As a result of the investigation, STOP Team officers executed a search warrant at 4016 Grand Street.  As the officers approached the residence, they noted a strong smell of marijuana, which was detectable from standing outside the residence.

Upon entry into the residence, Adrian Paynes, female, 34 years of age, was found to be present. The ensuing search found approximately 11 pounds of marijuana, two loaded hand guns, over $12,000 in US Currency and several television sets that are suspected to have been stolen from locations yet unknown.  Paynes was taken into custody and is facing related charges.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) has joined in the investigation.  A decision will be made in the near future as to perhaps seeking federal charges.

Chief Becker commended the actions of all involved, from those involved in the traffic stops, to the detectives who executed the search warrant.  Becker also stated his gratitude for the assistance provided by the ATF, the United States Attorney’s Office and the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.

Additionally, Chief Becker noted that recently area law enforcement agencies have had several discussions as to how to deal with increased murders, gang presence and other types of violent crime.  Those discussions are continuing and new initiatives will soon appear.  Although new ideas and methods are welcome, as is evidenced in this investigation, increasing traffic enforcement is a very basic and effective manner to help reduce the violence the Region has faced.  As of July 1, 2013 the East Chicago Police Department has already exceeded the total traffic stops made for all of 2012.

Research has proven that one of the simplest ways to reduce crime is to stop those who drive poorly.  People who commit serious crimes oftentimes make for poor drivers.  If we remain aggressive and stop would be criminals for minor traffic issues, we will positively impact our crime rate.  The STOP Team is one such initiative that the department has deployed in furtherance of increasing a very visible police presence in the city.

The STOP Team is an aggressive patrol based initiative that the department initiated in April of this year.  Those assigned to the unit are expected to deal with any and all public safety issues that may arise.  Those issues range from dealing with speeding in school zones to dealing with those who would opt to use locations in East Chicago to distribute illegal drugs.    

Through July, over the course of just 3 ½ months, the team has executed nearly 800 traffic stops, made 137 arrests and continue efforts to reach out to the community to gain their trust and assistance in addressing matters such as that described in this release.  The activities of this team coupled with the diligence of all of our officers and support personnel, are very much responsible for the 18% reduction in violent crime during the first 6 months of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012.

  

Press Release for August 4, 2013

August 4, 2013

1:00pm

Chief of Police Mark J. Becker today released the following information:

On August 3, 2013 at 11:15pm officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 3900 block of Drummond.  It was determined that multiple rounds had been fired and two gunshot victims were located at that scene.  They are identified as Ronnie Riley, a black male, age 21 of East Chicago and Robert Billington, age 22, of Chicago, Illinois.  The victims were treated at St. Catherine’s Hospital in East Chicago. Riley sustained a gunshot wounds to his stomach and is being treated.  Billington was treated and released for a “graze” type wound.

Shortly thereafter, a 3^rd gunshot victim was located at Methodist Hospital in Gary, Indiana.  This victim has been identified Austin Earl Williams, age 24, of Gary, Indiana.  Williams was shot multiple times, to include a wound to his leg.  Williams was transported to Gary by an associate(s). Investigators were initially told conflicting stories, but now believe that Williams was shot in the 3900 block of Drummond as well and then transported to Gary.  

Detectives have a person of interest that they are pursuing in connection with this shooting.  There is no further information available at this time.

  

On August 4, 2013 at 1:45am officers responded to reports of a shooting and found Glenn Patterson, also known as Glenn Spates, a black male, age 34 and an East Chicago resident, shot in the face and the elbow in the 3800 block of Euclid. Investigation also located another shooting victim in the 3900 block of Drummond.  That victim has been identified as Geray C. Campbell, age 34, an East Chicago resident who was shot in the hand and the hip.  

Investigators believe that both men were shot inside Patterson’s residence by unknown individuals.  Campbell successfully escaped the attack, but not without being shot.

Anyone with information regarding these events is requested to contact Detective Maurice Phillips at (219) 391-8306 or they may contact our tip line at (219) 391-8500.

Public involvment is Important to helping solve crime!

The investigation we have conducted thus far regarding Friday's shooting does indicate that someone saw something and simply does not wish to cooperate.  Our department strives to provide effective public safety, but just imagine how much more effective we would be if the public would step up and help us accomplish that when they are in a position to do so.

The death of another resident on Saturday appears to be the result of blunt trauma, such as being struck by a vehicle.  We also had reports of shots fired in the area prior to learning of this event.  Again, it would appear that someone saw something and we again ask for the public to step up and help us resolve this matter.

Finally, we are working with the Department of Natural Resources to learn the details of the death of a man found in the canal near 155th and Indianapolis Boulevard on Sunday.  This man had been reported missing for several days prior to finding his body and we hope that anyone with any information regarding what happened between his disappearance and the time we found his body, would be very helpful.

Thank you and be safe,

mjb

NATIONAL POLICE WEEK MEMORIAL SERVICE

NATIONAL POLICE WEEK MEMORIAL SERVICE

(May 12th –18th, 2013) 

East Chicago Public Safety Facility located at 2301 E. Columbus Dr. East Chicago, Indiana 46312.

You are cordially invited to attend the 

EAST CHICAGO FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, LODGE #59 

MEMORIAL PROGRAM 

presented in conjunction with the 

CITY OF EAST CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT & CITY OF EAST CHICAGO

Tuesday MAY 14TH, 2013

1:30 P.M.

FRONT LAWN 

(Weather permitting)

Refreshments will served after the service inside of the Public Safety Building Gymnasium

Police Chief Mark Becker Provides Crime Report for East Chicago

Mark J. Becker, Chief of Police, today made the following announcement;

Crimes reported to the East Chicago Police Department, which have been submitted to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) for the first quarter of 2013, reflect an increase in property crime, as well as a dramatic drop in violent crime in comparison to crimes reported for the same period in 2012.

The FBI UCR program documents 4 crimes, referred to as “violent crimes”, which include murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.  The program also documents an additional 4 crimes, referred to as “property crimes”, which include burglary, larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft and arson.

For the first quarter of 2013 (January-March), East Chicago reported a total of 449 crimes in comparison to 406 for the same period in 2012, or an increase of 10%. “Property” crimes (408 versus 328) increased 24% and instances of “Violent” crime (41 versus 78) dropped a significant 47%.  It is noted that violent crime in 2012 was reduced 14% from 2011 totals and it was a year of only 4 murders, among the lowest numbers in the city’s history.  

In 2011, based upon these same UCR numbers, the City of East Chicago had been proclaimed the most violent city in Northwest Indiana (per capita).  Since that time the department has undertaken several steps to turn that trend and increase the level of public safety afforded to those who visit, reside and/or call this city their home.

Aggressive community outreach programs, walking and meeting with residents and business owners, increased police presence via traffic and patrol activities, strategic partnerships with Federal, State and Local agencies and crime mapping and analytical assistance provided by IUN, Gary Campus are among several factors attributable to the marked decline in violent crime.

This is not a proclamation of a victory, but hopefully an indication that the City of East Chicago is headed in the correct direction.  The men and women of this department, both those on the street and those in valued support positions, are to be commended for their dedication and professionalism to our mission.      

A quarterly summary of crimes reported to the FBI’s UCR for the years of 2011-2013

is set forth below;

FBI 

Uniform Crime Reports

East Chicago, Indiana

January - March Totals

LETTER BOMBS - Notice from the ECPD

LETTER BOMBS

You’re really not likely to come across a letter bomb unless you work in a high-risk environment likely to be targeted by extremists or terrorists or you ticked off a precocious science student. But, as with the random civilian deaths from anthrax, ignorance is always a poor defense.

The United States Postal Service processes over 170 billion pieces of mail every year.  The sheer volume of mail makes it impossible for them to screen for bombs.  Be aware of indicators that can help you identify a package or letter bomb and the precautions you can take to avoid being injured by such a device.

Look, smell and listen

Although the appearance of mail bombs may vary, here are the characteristics that show up repeatedly:

• Excessive postage. Logically, a bomber will affix too many stamps because he wants to avoid waiting in line with the device and having to talk face-to-face with a mail clerk.
• Indications of the components.  Watch for protruding wires, aluminum foil or oily stains.  Be wary of sloshing sounds.  Mail bombs may emit a peculiar smell of almonds, shoe polish, chlorine, gasoline or nitrogen.  Any odd odor is suspect.
• Be wary of packages with an uneven balance of weight.
• Mail bombs may be enclosed in a parcel or an envelope.  Keep an eye on both.
• The return address may be vague, nonsensical or there might not be a return address at all.  The postmark may indicate a different location than the return address.
• Postal inspectors have found that mail bombs generally target specific individuals. So they may bear restricted endorsements, such as “Personal” or “Private,” designed to make sure a particular addressee opens the package.  Restricted endorsements are most likely to be present on bombs sent to people who do not usually receive personal mail at the office.  The name may be wrong or misspelled or the package may have the right name, but the wrong job title.  They may also bear only the job title and no name.
• Be suspicious of obviously disguised or strange handwriting or if the name and address on the package or letter are prepared with homemade labels or cut-and-paste lettering.
• Parcel bombs may have far more tape than necessary or several combinations of tape.  They often carry warnings such as “Fragile–Handle With Care” or “Rush Delivery.”
• Bulkiness. Bombs in letters will contain more than paper, so they will feel hard and inflexible and appear uneven or lopsided.
• Be wary of irregularly shaped packages with soft spots or bulges.
• Biological agents may also be sent through the mail.  In addition to the above indicators, watch for letters or packages with any powdery substance on the outside. Do not sniff suspicious packages!  Remember microscopic particles can be inhaled easily and absorbed quickly.

What to do:

• Call 911. If you see wires, hear ticking or have any reason to suspect a bomb, evacuate your building.
• Do not open the article.  Do not cut any strings, tape or wrappings.
• Isolate the suspicious parcel and evacuate the immediate area.
• Do not submerge the package in water or place it in a confined space, such as a desk drawer or cabinet.  Many homemade bombs depend on the mixing of explosive gases, so you should allow the package maximum ventilation.  If possible, open windows in the immediate area to assist in venting and to minimize the effect of any concussion caused by detonation, but do not linger to do this.
• Make sure that anyone who has touched the package washes their hands with soap and water.  Place items of clothing that have come into contact with the package in plastic bags and give them to the authorities.
• Better safe than sorry.  Do not worry about possible embarrassment if the parcel turns out to be innocent. Call 911 and contact the US Postal Inspection Service.  Local Postal Inspection Service phone numbers are available at http://www.usps.com/ncsc/locators/find-is.html.

Be aware of fake NIPSCO Scam!

Our friends at NIPSCO wished to pass along a “scam” that has come to their attention, in fact one of the victims is from East Chicago.!

A NIPSCO customer had received a call from a male caller who represented himself as a NIPSCO employee and then went on to tell them that their gas was going to be shut off if they did not pay $325.00.  The caller went on to state that they were to purchase a pre-paid green dot card and then to provide them with the card number.

Unfortunately the customer purchased the card and then provided the numbers to the caller. At that time the scammer told them that they needed yet another $325.00 and it was then that the customer became suspicious and contacted NIPSCO.

The number the call came from was 484-898-0831 and the name on the caller ID was “Frank Suero”

This is an ongoing scam and it hits home since one of our own was a victim.  Please report any such activity to the police and remember, if it does not feel right, it likely is not right.  Call the police, that is what we get paid to do

Be safe

mjb

The STOP Team is Coming!

Recently the City Council approved funding in support of a new initiative known as The STOP Team.  This team will be an aggressive patrol based team of officers who will target issues such as gangs, drugs, prostitution, graffiti, burglaries, traffic enforcement and similar types of acitivies. In other words, whatever type of crime or issue arises, this team will be tasked to STOP It!

One of the main objectives of the team will be to engage the community, that is, walk neighborhoods, knock on doors, hear what our resident and business owners are and then act upon them.  As a team, the community and our police department will maintain the safety for those who work, visit and/or make East Chicago their home.

The team will set forth to develop additional “Neighborhood Watch” groups and then once formulated, make sure that those groups are in contact with each other.  In doing such, issues discovered in one section of our city will quickly be communicated to other areas so that we can quickly disrupt and dismantle threats to public safety before small issues grow into large problems.

Interested in hearing more about starting a Neighborhood Watch?  Contact my office and I will be happy to discuss how we can work together to make this program grow and be successful.  Contact me at (219) 391-8331 or by email, markbecker2012@hotmail.com

Until then, remember, if it does not seem right, it is not right.  Call the police and let us figure it out, that is what we get paid to do

Be Safe

IUN Partnership Update

Professor Joseph Ferrandino and his staff at IUN have provided us with thier first glimpse of thier analysis of the crime issues facing our community.  It is fascinating as to how quickly they were able to assemble the data and bring issues and concerns to our attention.  Maps and charts have begun to arrive and we continue to develop strategies as to the efficient use of the resources available to us.

We anticipated that an increase in traffic enforcement would result in a reduction in calls for service, that is, proactive enforcement would reduce the number of reactive calls.  For the first 2 months of the year, our officers increased their self initiated activity by nearly 76 %, as a result, calls for service from the public decreased by nearly 9%.  Clearly the more active we remain, the less issues the community will face.

As always, we rely on the public to keep us informed and invite them to use our anonymous tip line at 219-391-8500

Mark J. Becker

Chief of Police  

ECPD Accepting Application for “Citizen’s Academy"

P R E S S      R E L E A S E

March 11, 2013

5:30pm

Mark J. Becker, Chief of Police, today announced the following information:

The East Chicago Police Department is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the department’s “Citizen’s Academy’, which will be held on Wednesday evenings from April 24 to May 29^th.  The evening sessions will run from 

6:30pm – 8:30pm and will culminate with a graduation dinner on June 8^th

The Citizen’s Academy is designed to provide citizens with an intimate look into the workings of the department and the law enforcement profession in general.  The presentations will provide all with a better understanding as to the day to day operations of the department and the challenges it faces, all of which can be better addressed by partnering with the community

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, live or work in East Chicago, be able to pass a limited background inquiry and have no felony convictions

The Academy will address many topics, to include –

• Police Administration
• Community Policing
• Patrol
• Firearms
• Detective Bureau Investigations
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Canine
• Dispatch
• “Ride Alongs”

There is limited seating available and applicants are encouraged to apply early.  An application form may be obtained at the department or by contacting Lieutenant Marguerite Wilder at mwilder@eastchicago.com    

     

Download Application

Click Here!

East Chicago Police Department looks to IU Northwest experts to help build more efficient department

Friday, February 22, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Steve Segura

City of East Chicago 

Multimedia Division

4444 Railroad Ave.

East Chicago, 46312

ph: 219-391-8206

fx:219-391-8224

ssegura@eastchicago.com

East Chicago Police Department looks to IU Northwest experts to help build more efficient department  

Access to university data analysis software and expertise to enable more proactive policing

A partnership between the East Chicago Police Department (ECPD) and experts at Indiana University Northwest will provide the law enforcement agency with tools it needs to better allocate its resources for more proactive policing.

Through IU Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence , which focuses on helping community partners drive positive change by co-creating solutions to their challenges, the ECPD, as well as other police and emergency agencies in the region, now have access to sophisticated computer statistical analysis methods typically only available in large metropolitan cities.

School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Joseph Ferrandino, Ph.D., and his students will analyze crime statistics and other data collected by the ECPD over the past five years to create a baseline for further study. Ferrandino will continue to map such information as the number of traffic injuries and fatalities, common times of traffic accidents, property damage, personal injury, and other data, and will present his findings at regular meetings with the ECPD.

“The level of expertise and technology that IU Northwest brings to the table is beyond our capability,” said ECPD Chief Mark Becker.

Ultimately, Becker said, this work will enable the department to employ a more proactive policing approach. It will help the department make decisions aimed at improving public safety, reducing traffic incidents, and deploying resources more effectively.

“Once we start getting the data, we can put it into the officers’ hands and empower them,” Becker said. “We can make better decisions about where to patrol, discover more about where the issues lie, and stay a step ahead.”

 This type of analysis is among the many ways the Center for Urban and Regional Excellence helps regional agencies address challenges in Northwest Indiana Communities, according to Ellen Szarleta, Ph.D., J.D., director of the Center and a faculty member in SPEA. The Center works collaboratively with organizations, with particular focus on the government and nonprofit sectors, to advance research, teaching and services.

“IU Northwest is committed to engaging with the community to address priorities and concerns that affect citizens,” Szarleta said. “The Center’s current projects address diverse areas including economic development, government efficiency, nonprofit leadership development, and transportation policy, as well as public safety.”

Becker said he was impressed by the work Ferrandino has done on behalf of the Center with the Gary Police and Fire Departments and the Portage Police Department.

For the past 14 months, Ferrandino has provided mapping and research for the Gary Police Department, which the department uses to make decisions about staffing, policies and more.

Ferrandino’s expertise is not limited to crime mapping, however. The Gary Fire Department has used his maps and analysis to optimize the operations of the city’s emergency responders. Ferrandino’s graduate-level statistics class is currently working on a full analysis of the fire department’s data for the past 10 years. By examining the department’s response times, as well as the concentration of and types of calls, the research is expected to help the department better allocate its resources.

Ferrandino’s crime-mapping expertise and its implications for local law enforcement have garnered national attention. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has asked him to write a two-year grant in support of Project Safe Neighborhoods, for which he will also serve in the role of research consultant. This nationwide program aims to stimulate innovative approaches to dealing with gun and gang violence and will include law enforcement agencies in Gary, East Chicago, Hammond andGrant County, which is the county of Marion, Ind. If accepted, the project would allow police departments in the area to broaden their capabilities and work together in teams to better focus their efforts in high crime areas.

Ferrandino said it is gratifying to put his academic and theoretical background to use in a practical way that directly impacts communities and their residents. He added that working with police and fire departments to map their statistics is important work that he never imagined he’d be able to do from his university post.

“It’s exciting to be involved in the actual policing of a community like East Chicago as opposed to just writing articles about it,” he said.

Shooting involving East Chicago Officer

Chief Mark J. Becker, East Chicago Police Department, today made the following announcement;

At approximately 11:25pm on February 19, 2013, an East Chicago Police Department (ECPD) officer came upon a vehicle traveling in the 4500 block of Euclid and found that the vehicle’s taillights were not operational.  The vehicle appeared to be occupied by at least 3 individuals.

The officer soon learned that the vehicle had been reported stolen earlier that day, from a location in East Chicago.  The officer requested back up units and efforts were then made to curb the vehicle.  Initially, the vehicle began to slow in the area of 144^th and Ivy, but it then drove off and a pursuit ensued, which involved several ECPD units.

The vehicle neared a train crossing near the area of Chicago Avenue and Kennedy, at which time the railroad crossing gate began to drop.  The subjects drove around the gate and it is believed their vehicle then made contact with the gate.  The vehicle then came into contact with an ECPD squad that had been waiting on the other side of the railroad tracks.  As a result, both vehicles were extensively damaged.

Several subjects from the vehicle then began to run from the scene, however, an 18 year old adult, identified as Arturo Gonzalez, was arrested at the scene is being held pending automobile theft charges.

Officers then took part in a foot pursuit involving the other subjects, during which time gunshots were fired by an ECPD Officer.  A short time later, a 17 year old juvenile presented himself at St. Catherine’s Hospital in East Chicago with a gunshot wound to his leg, which he represented happened when an unknown subject attempted to rob him at gunpoint.

Due to the officer involved shooting, coupled with what appears to be a subject shot by the officer, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has been requested to carry out an investigation regarding the officer involved shooting incident. This is an ongoing investigation and the department has no further comment at this time.

2 sentenced to prison time for roles in Imperial Gangsters

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February 15, 2013 7:15 pm  •  Times Staff

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HAMMOND | Two self-professed Imperial Gangsters were sentenced this week as part of an ongoing investigation into local street gang activity, federal court records show.

Guillermo Briseno, 27, of East Chicago, was sentenced this week to 87 months in prison and four years of supervised release for his role in the gang, federal court records show. He pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Alejandro Balboa Lara, 21, was sentenced this week to 22 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his participation in the gang, records state. He pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity.

Briseno and Lara were two of more than a dozen people charged in federal court as part of a murder and drug distribution case focused on the south side of East Chicago.

East Chicago bar shut down by authorities

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7 hours ago  •  Lauri Harvey Keagle lauri.keagle@nwi.com, (219) 852-4311

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EAST CHICAGO | Law enforcement and fire officials on Friday ordered an East Chicago bar closed after citing numerous illegal activities and code violations.

Indiana State Excise Police on Friday night shut down Alexis Hall, 4003 Alder St. after receiving a complaint from a citizen of illegal activities there.

When officers entered the bar around 9:30 p.m., they allegedly found two 16-year-olds and one other minor inside. The juveniles were ticketed for being minors inside a tavern and released to family members, excise police said.

Excise police also cited the bar with two counts of allowing minors to loiter, failure to maintain employee records, employing an unlicensed bartender, not meeting food-service requirements, changing floor plan layout without approval, failure to display permits and purchasing alcohol from another retail business.

The East Chicago Police Department, East Chicago Fire Department and the Lake County Sheriff's Department's Gang Division all assisted with the investigation.

"Indiana State Excise Police will continue to work with city and county law enforcement officers to prevent the procurement of alcohol by minors and take appropriate action when violations of Indiana law are found," Superintendent Matt Strittmatter of the Indiana State Excise Police said in a a statement issued Monday morning.

City Wide Burglaries Report - November/December 2012

In an effort to work together and keep our residents informed we are posting the following information. If you have any information on a crime or suspicious activity please call the Anonymous Tip Line @ 391-8500. 

Chief Becker's Report

Set forth below is a listing of recent burglaries that took place in the city.  A breakdown of those taking place in the Morningside area for all of 2012 is also identified.

E.C. charts fewest murders in decades

EAST CHICAGO | East Chicago charted its fewest murders in almost 40 years last year based on totals reported to the federal government.

Though "three murders are still too many," Police Chief Mark Becker said, that number -- half the homicides from the previous year -- marks a low reported to the the Uniform Crime Report compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A review of police records, as well as those on file with Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey's office, was conducted dating back to 1975, Becker said, and it was the lowest experienced in 37 years.

Legal definitions of murder and homicide have changed over the years at the city level, Becker said, and prior to 1975 were recorded solely as "deaths" at the county level.

Thirteen murders were reported in East Chicago as recently as 2010.

As noted in the report, the 222 violent crimes in the city in 2012 was a reduction of 13 percent from 2011 totals of 255, with three murders, nine rapes, 90 robberies and 120 aggravated assaults reported in the city of just fewer than 30,000 residents.

Property crimes (1,851) were reported at 5 percent less than in 2011 (1,941) with 594 burglaries listed, 1,064 incidents of larceny, 190 vehicle thefts and three arsons reported.

Total reported crimes of 2,073 in 2012 came in at a 6 percent reduction from 2,196 reported in 2011.

Residents have been a big help, Becker said.

Becker, who previously was the Portage police chief, was sworn in as the city's top law enforcement officer one year ago. 

He also served 32 years with the FBI, ultimately as senior supervisory resident agent for Northwest Indiana.

Aggressive community outreach by police in the neighborhoods has shown people that law enforcement officers are there to help, he said, and residents are more likely to call in if they see see a crime being committed or something suspicious.

Also helpful, Becker said, has been the U.S. Department of Justice, which has locked up more than 35 gang members in the last two years who accounted for much of the neighborhood crime in East Chicago.

"I think we're headed in the right direction," Becker said.

Crime reduced in East Chicago

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 1, 2013

9:00 am

Mark J. Becker, Chief of Police, made the following release:

I am pleased to report the totals of both violent crime and property crime occurrences that were reported to the East Chicago Police Department in 2012 and subsequently submitted to the FBI for inclusion in their Uniform Crime Report (UCR) 

A break down and total for each of the 8 crimes that consist of the FBI’s UCR report are as follows:

Violent Crimes (222) A reduction of 13% from 2011 total (255)

• Murder -3
• Rape- 9
• Robbery – 90
• Aggravated Assault – 120

Property Crimes (1,851) A reduction of 5% from 2011 total (1,941)

• Burglary – 594
• Larceny – 1,064
• Vehicle Theft – 190
• Arson - 3

Total Crimes (2,073) A reduction of 6% from 2011 total (2,196)

A review of our records, as well as those on file with Coroner Merrilee Frey’s office, was conducted dating back to 1975.  The Coroner’s staff assisted in a review of their records, which determined that the 3 murders reported in 2012 are the lowest experienced in at least the past 37 years. Records regarding murder totals for East Chicago prior to 1975 were not available. The total crime reported to the city (2,073) is the lowest number in over 12 years.   

Chief Becker commended all members of the police department for the reduction in crime this past year and also noted that increased interaction with the public is also to be credited in reducing as well as solving the crimes that took place

Welcome Police Chief Mark Beckers Blog.

Welcome Police Chief Mark Beckers Blog. Stay visit regularly for ECPD happenings.