ANDERSON, Ind. — The Madison County Prosecutor and a local anti-violence group have expressed growing concern over the spike in violence in Anderson over the last few weeks.
“I’ve never seen guns be a bigger problem than they are now. Guys used to settle things with their fists, but now they shoot each other,” said Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings.
Cummings noted that crime rates in Anderson have been climbing steadily over the past 10 to 15 years, with recent incidents adding to the troubling trend. This week alone, Anderson experienced an officer-involved shooting and a stabbing at a gas station, both on the same day.
“We have about a quarter of the amount of crime as Marion County, but Marion County is eight times bigger. So, per capita, we have about double the crime rate,” Cummings pointed out.
According to Cummings, a combination of factors is driving the increase in crime, including illegal guns, drugs, poverty, and job losses in the area. He added that young adults and juveniles are among the most frequent offenders.
To tackle the problem, groups like the Madison County Hand-Up Initiative are reaching out to the community. Jason Fullington, a member of the initiative, said the group’s approach involves sharing personal stories to help guide young people toward better choices.
“A lot of us have a past, so we can talk about our experiences and the struggles we faced to become successful adults. It’s helpful for kids to hear that,” Fullington said. “We definitely want to show them there’s a different way to live. Often, all it takes is an adult’s voice to stop a fight. When that happens, kids are more likely to listen.”
Fullington also mentioned that crime has continued to rise since the group started in 2022, underscoring the need for ongoing community intervention and support.
