Crime in South Bend dropped significantly in the first quarter of 2025, with a 50% decrease in criminally assaulted shooting victims and no murders reported.

At a public safety meeting Thursday, Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski attributed the decline to improved staffing, new technology, and stronger community connections.

The Real-Time Crime Center has sped up investigations, reducing hours of work to mere minutes.

Mayor James Mueller emphasized the importance of maintaining full staffing and investing in technology for continued success.