Chief of Police:
Chief Message
2008 saw several changes for the Michigan City Police Department. Even though it was known that several retirements would occur and the Department tried to hire in advance the Department was understaffed significantly during 2008. I am proud that the Men and Women of the Michigan City Police Department met the challenges before them. |

Ben Neitzel
Chief of Police
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The Department went through major changes in 2008 such as how we are dispatched with a merger of dispatching duties being shifted to the 911 Dispatching Center in LaPorte. This is proving to be a more efficient use of personnel along with being fiscally responsible to those we serve but again personnel are asked to do more with less and have risen to the challenge.
Unfortunately Michigan City suffered 4 homicides as defined by the FBI uniform crime report, with three of the homicides occurring in the first quarter of the year. Of the four, three were closed by arrest(s). One is still unsolved, the shooting death of Marcus Pryor, age 27 who was found shot to death in a room at Knights Inn on March 17, 2008. As is typical, the public plays a large role in the effectiveness of its Law Enforcement and compared to the national averages Michigan City does extremely well in closing homicide cases with arrests thanks to help from the public. Anyone with information of the Marcus Pryor Homicide is asked to contact the Michigan City Police Departments crime tip hotline at 219-873-1488 or any other way they feel comfortable communicating.
Michigan City experienced a double digit reduction in reportable crimes (reportable to the FBI uniform crime reporting system) for the year of 2008. Several social and economic factors influence crime rates for municipalities across the Nation. Including but not limited to ethical, moral, and economic standards accepted by each community.
Historically during times of economic strife crimes can increase, or decrease dependant on the duration and severity of the economic situation, and how the situation is addressed. Higher gas prices reduce travel and reduce the outside influences that can increase incidents of violent and property crimes. Reduction of the work force placed more people at home and in the public which can reduce, or increase the potential of victims for the crimes of burglary, theft, assault, and robbery. A key factor is community involvement.
The Michigan City Police Department has focused on improving the quality of its community focus with involvement in Project Lifesaver, Triad, Neighborhood Association Meetings, Ask a Cop Column, and investigations on a Community Policing-City Team level.
The Michigan City Police Department has also successfully integrated the SARA model of policing and Special Operations Group with anticipation of moving to a COMPSTAT philosophy. This philosophy will use daily assets of equipment and manpower to address critical areas of crime and nuisances throughout the city. Areas will be targeted based on statistical data and input from neighborhood Associations and the Crime Tip Hotline and upcoming new technology designed to create better communications between the public and the Police.
Annual Statistics show that traffic citations are generally down as the Michigan City Police Departments tires to strike a balance between traffic enforcement keeping violators in check and patrol through neighborhood areas as well as business areas. Increases in citations for nuisance issues and City Code violations that affect quality of life are noted. Things like loud music and other city ordinance violations.
Total arrests are down with fewer Adult arrests. However Juvenile arrests increased by 310 over 2007 in response to issues of criminal mischief, nuisance events in neighborhoods, theft, and violent crimes. For 2009 the Michigan City Police Department will focus on juvenile crime with regular curfew sweeps as an effective tool in combating undesirable activity of our youth.
The Narcotics Division showed an increase of cases made, arrests made and raids sponsored by “Community Input to the Drug Tip Hotline”. Unfortunately the availability of Heroine has reached the streets of Michigan City. Heroine was 2nd only to Crack Cocaine in 2008.
Overall I am very pleased with the performance of the Men and Women of the Michigan City Police Department who continue to help the community by protecting yet serving. They have been asked to do more with less and have risen to the challenge.
There is still a great spirit of public cooperation between the community and the police which has allowed us to be as successful as we have been.
The Michigan City Police Department looks forward to the challenges we face in 2009 and are excited with the direction we are heading in the field of technology which make our work more efficient and results in a better law enforcement. We look forward to greater participation from the public utilizing new technology that will be available soon. We see a Michigan City that is becoming a destination for many visitors with large scale events taking place which also brings its own set of problems. We are committed to this community and hope to shine in 2009.
Yours in public service, Chief Ben Neitzel
Click here to read Chief Neitzel's biography. |