Gary Mayor Along With Police Chief Provide Updates On Violence
Tuesday afternoon Gary Mayor Jerome Prince along with Police Chief Ligon updated the community on recent violent crimes. As of this afternoon Gary has reached 21 homicides this year, according to Chief Ligon, out of those 21 cases, around 20 have good leads being followed up on by detectives. The most recent being a double a homicide this afternoon near 13th & Grant where two people are currently in custody and being questioned.
Today’s meeting focused on the death of a 12 year old boy from Chicago, Saturday. Currently all resources are being used on this case to bring the individual(s) into custody for this senseless act of violence, Ligon stated. The shooting occurred around 26th & Pierce while riding with his family in their vehicle. The family immediately drove 12 year old Demetrius Townsel Jr to Northlake Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Anyone with information or cameras from the area is asked to contact the Gary Police to bring justice for this family.
Chief Ligon, in the conference also brought up new technologies the city is looking to invest in for crime fighting. This includes more city cameras and Shot Spotter Technology. Ligon also said, additional focus will be put on hot spots in the city and working and building more trust with members of the community. Building trust in the community is key in cleaning up these streets, without a community partnership it makes officers job that much more difficult. Gary has also started working with other area agencies to get cases solved quicker as well as to communicate intelligence between departments, Ligon said.
