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Elkhart Police plan neighborhood meetings to prevent crime

Posted: 8:14 PM Apr 5, 2012
Reporter: Stephanie Stang

Elkhart Police battling neighborhood crime

Elkhart police are stepping up public safety efforts and hope to crack down on crime this summer.

It's part of a federal grant that will engage neighborhoods around the city.

The grant is for six thousand dollars and the money will be used for extra staffing and educational materials.

At the Sweet Creams Soda Shop in downtown Elkhart the owner is open to the idea of working with area businesses to prevent crime. Her business is one of five places where police will meet with people to hear about their concerns plus share tips on how to prevent crime.

This is a weeklong series with meetings spread out equally all over the city.

“We want to educate them about what they need to look for,” says Lt. Laura Koch from the Elkhart Police Department. “A lot of our burglaries are solved with an observant neighbor.”

Police say one of the best ways to prevent crime is to organize a group that will continue to work together.

In the past Elkhart's seen success with neighborhood watch groups that meet once a month.

The schedule of meetings for the crime prevention initiative follows. The public is invited.

Monday (April 9) – 6:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 831 W. Marion St.

Tuesday (April 10) – 5:30 p.m., Sweet Creams Soda Shop, 700 S. Main St.; and 7 p.m., Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 802 W. Garfield Ave.

Wednesday (April 11) – 6 p.m., McNaughton Park Pavilion, 701 Arcade Ave.

Thursday (April 12) – 6 p.m., Studebaker Park Pavilion, 1020 McDonald St.