Gary, Lake County report positive changes to 2025 crime rates

Violent crime is down in Gary and Lake County, according to recently released data from the city and prosecutor’s office.

On Dec. 17, the city of Gary announced that in 2025 it saw a decrease in the number of homicides and non-fatal shootings, according to a previous news release. The city also reported a “substantial increase” in federal prosecution of “the most violent offenders.”

From January to December, Gary had a 22.8% reduction in nonfatal shootings, going from 123 in 2024 to 95 this year. Homicides also decreased by 36.8%, from 38 in 2024 to 24 in 2025.

“Building a safer Gary has been our administration’s top priority, and a 36% drop in homicides proves that our focused, collaborative approach is saving lives,” Mayor Eddie Melton said in a news release. “While our work is far from over, these numbers signal a new chapter of peace and stability for our families and neighborhoods.”

In 2025, the city seized 369 firearms, according to the news release, which is a 41.4% increase from 2024, when they seized 261. Police Chief Derrick Cannon said in the news release that change is reflective of the city’s partnerships with other agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives.

In addition to the ATF, the Gary Police Department partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana, which the department said helped lead to a 25% increase in the number of federal firearms prosecutions in 2025.

“We are aggressively targeting violent offenders and removing the tools of violence from our streets, making it clear that those who threaten our community will be held accountable,” Cannon said.

Homicide data for 2025 in Gary was collected up until Dec. 18, but the number might change once the year is complete. The city collects data from 2012 to 2025, and this year has the lowest number of homicides in that time frame.

Before this year, Gary had its lowest homicide rates in 2018 and 2024 when it recorded 40, while 2012 had 42 homicides. The highest rates were 64 in 2022, 58 in 2019 and 57 in 2013.

“The partnership between ATF, the Gary Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office has enabled us to jointly target the most violent offenders who seek to drive violence in the city of Gary,” ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon said in a news release. “The reduction in violent crime, along with the increase in federal firearms prosecutions and firearm recoveries from violent offenders, underscores not only that our joint strategy is working, but also the strength of our partnerships.”

The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office also announced in a separate news release that the homicide rates for Gary and East Chicago declined by about 46% since 2022, partially due to the office’s Homicide Task Force, which was created in 2023. The task force consists of detectives from the Indiana State Police, Indiana State Excise Police, East Chicago Police Department, Gary Police Department and cold case assistance from the Hobart Police Department, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The task force is responsible for investigating homicides and deaths in Gary and East Chicago, and if requested, assists other law enforcement agencies throughout the county.

In Gary and East Chicago, the 2025 homicide charge and closure rate is at 83%, according to the news release. Throughout the year, the task force detectives helped with eight murder trials, helped convict about 22 defendants, and supported efforts to deny bond to 18 murder defendants.

In 2025, three defendants were charged with murder for 2002, 2018 and 2024 homicides, according to the prosecutor’s office. Other crimes include neglect of a dependent causing death, attempted murder, arson, assisting a criminal, maintaining a common nuisance, unlawful carrying of firearms, and possession of a controlled substance.

“These outcomes reflect the relentless commitment and professionalism of our Homicide Task Force detectives,” Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter said in a news release. “Their work is detailed, demanding, and often unseen by the public, but the results speak for themselves. Every case represents a victim, a family, and a community seeking justice — and our detectives never lose sight of that responsibility.”

Carter said the partnerships with East Chicago, Gary and other entities through Lake County helped make the homicide task force’s work successful.

“Public safety is a shared responsibility,” Carter said. “We thank the mayors and local leaders who continue to prioritize cooperation, transparency and community safety. Together, we are making Lake County safer for our residents.”

mwilkins@chicagotribune.com