Elkhart homicides, violence — unfortunate norm, on the rise?

Monday Sept. 12, 2016

Elkhart police stand guard outside the home of a July 31, 2016, triple homicide. By Tim Vandenack

There have been eight homicides in Elkhart so far this year, including a July 31 triple homicide, the latest. That’s more than any year as a whole (with more time to go in 2016) dating to at least 2012

There have also been 28 armed robberies.

It all begs the question — is violence running amok?

I called some area leaders, pulled together some figures (including gunshot reports) to write a quick analysis of the situation. People are buzzing about crime — it’s come up at two recent town hall-style meetings I’ve attended — but it’s not clear how to get a grip on it. I tied it all in with a young man’s impromptu memorial to gun victims earlier this year, something I also wrote about.

Here’s the latest story, with the homicide victims and robberies in an accompanying sidebar:

• “‘Never seen it this bad’: After 8 homicides, 28 armed robberies, Elkhart leaders search for solutions,” Sept. 4, 2016

Elkhart’s poorer, more diverse south-central neighborhood focus of three-day series

Thursday Nov. 12, 2015

Some of the people of south-central Elkhart, top row, left to right: Tara Morris, Shirley Jarman, Jean Mayes. Middle row, left to right: Forrest Ludwick, Meko Erwin, Rosie Shepherd. Bottom row, left to right: Michele Molik, Jessica Dubose, Amyia O’Brie and Mekhi Gilbert. By Tim Vandenack

I spent much of the spring, summer and fall talking to people in south-central Elkhart and Washington Gardens, a low-income public housing development here.

We go there when there are shootings and killings, but we wanted to expand on that, get to know the people of the zone, one of the poorest and most demographically diverse neighborhoods of the city. We wanted to hear what they have to say of life in the area, the good, the bad and the in-between.

Photographer Jennifer Shephard and I, as a reporter, did much of the work in the field, but it was a team effort including designers, editors, videographers and more. The result was a three-day series, Oct. 25-27 in the print edition:

• Down But Not Out: Life in South Central

I wrote six stories for the series, took pictures (though Shephard’s a pro and hers were far superior) and even shot some video. I culled U.S. Census Bureau data, Elkhart Police Department arrest and shooting reports and figures from Washington Gardens. Mostly, though, it was about knocking on doors, hitting the pavement, seeking out people and getting them to tell their stories.

It was a tough juggling act. I still contributed to the paper on a regular basis, covered my regular beat, City Hall, squeezing in visits to the area and the people when time permitted. But it was eye-opening, rewarding to do, well worth it, and I think we offered many in Elkhart a glimpse they maybe had never seen into a neighborhood that sits smack dab in the middle of it all.

Here are my contributions:

• It may have its blemishes, but it’s still home: Those living in south-central Elkhart defend their neighborhood
• Life in Washington Gardens: Vigilance and dreams of moving on
• Intervene, duck for cover or call the police? When it comes to danger in Washington Gardens, residents must choose a strategy
• Are Chicagoans to blame for south central’s crime? Many say yes, but the data doesn’t support the charge
• Elkhart woman sees Washington Gardens as stepping stone to her dreams: After gang life in Chicago, Jessica Dubose came seeking stability
• Addressing the challenges in south-central Elkhart is no simple task, but many groups are working to make life better in the neighborhood
• Pictures — South-central Elkhart: Meet the people in the neighborhood
• Data — Elkhart’s southside more ractially diverse, poorer and less educated
• Video — What’s it like to live in south-central Elkhart?