Why Crime Stats Don’t Match Our Perception | Editorial

We have penned editorials whenever gun violence devastates our community.

We've written editorials When those who are youngest and most vulnerable fall prey to gun violence.

We have penned editorials recognizing the feeling of hopelessness and despondency that gun violence inflicts upon a neighborhood.

Then there are the editorials we choose not to write because we recognize that adding anything further would just be redundant in the broader conversation.

Editorial: Let's continue the discussion.

This editorial on gun violence doesn't address those topics. Rather, it responds to data provided in the latest quarterly crime statistics report from the South Bend Police Department. presentation .

Based on the presentation, gun violence cases in the city decreased during the initial three months of this year when contrasted with the corresponding timeframe in 2024, maintaining a declining pattern observed over the past five consecutive first quarters.

Other notable points: According to the police, there were zero criminal fatalities due to shootings in South Bend between January 1 and March 31, contrasting with two such incidents during the corresponding timeframe in 2024. A shooting resulting in death occurred on February 26 close to where Indiana Avenue meets High Street; however, officials have categorized this incident as justifiable rather than criminal. The authorities chose not to disclose further information regarding this matter.

The count of individuals who were both criminally assaulted and shot decreased by half, going down from 12 cases in 2024 to just six instances in 2025. This figure has consistently declined every year since 2020, with that period seeing 34 people becoming victims of criminal assault involving firearms; this included nine deaths during the initial quarter.

Everything mentioned here is seen optimistically; however, we approach with restraint, avoiding broad conclusions based on the report. That’s not what we aim to do. Instead, our purpose is to highlight these statistics within the broader context of community security. We’ve taken this stance previously whenever the data was concerning—rightly so.

Why do we highlight the numbers and the generally favorable aspect of the update? Partly to bring more notice to it, but also because it contradicts prevailing opinions.

If your sense of personal security diminishes and you keep getting messages confirming that the city is unsafe, would you bother with such a report at all?

We’re keeping an eye on things. Not only the statistics and numbers, but also the perceptions that frequently diverge from these metrics.

The editorials reflect the views of the Tribune Editorial Board. The board comprises Audience Engagement Editor Alesia I. Redding, Enterprise Editor Cory Havens, and Executive Editor Ismail Turay Jr.

The article initially appeared on South Bend Tribune: When crime stats don't match perception | Editorial