Project Disarm Task Force

Federal Courthouse - Hammond, Indiana

5400 Federal Plaza
Suite 1500
Hammond, IN 46320

219.937.5500

Law enforcement cooperation is working well in St. Joseph County and Elkhart City. Since inception in April 2004, officers assigned to the Project Disarm Task Force, which is led by the ATF, have charged more than 31 individuals who have collectively been is possession of over 50 illegal weapons. In September alone, 13 indictments, involving firearms, were returned by the grand jury in South Bend. Six of the defendants were part of an alleged straw purchase ring. The task force, which consists of officers from the South Bend Police Department, St. Joseph County Police Department, Elkhart City Police Department and ATF concentrates specifically on crimes involving firearms violence. Other than taking guns off the street, the task force appears to be affecting the number of homicides occurring throughout the City of South Bend. As of mid-December of this year there have only been ten homicides in South Bend compared to seventeen in 2003. The law enforcement efforts also have gathered information helpful in solving three homicides and led to the capture of a fugitive wanted on a murder charge in Chicago.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) established a Regional Firearms Enforcement Task Force in the South Bend/Elkhart City/St. Joseph County area. The Task Force, named “Project Disarm”, has officers assigned from South Bend, Elkhart City, and St. Joseph County police departments who are deputized as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals in order to enforce federal gun laws. Representatives from the Indiana State Police, U.S. Marshal’s Service, St. Joseph County Prosecutor's and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will serve as members of the “Project Disarm” Task Force. The ATF has committed three agents to the task force. One of the Special Agents assigned will be the Task Force Supervisor. The “Project Disarm” Task Force kickoff took place with a press conference on April 15, 2004 at the South Bend Century Center. The focus of “Project Disarm” is to reduce firearms related violence through aggressive and cooperative law enforcement in the South Bend/Elkhart City/St. Joseph County area.

In fiscal year 2003, the South Bend Police Department was awarded a $30,000 through the District’s Project Safe Neighborhoods grant that will be used for the “Project Disarm” Task Force. During fiscal year 2004, the South Bend Police Department will also be awarded approximately $50,000 through the PSN grant. The grant will pay for the lease of office space, the purchase of office supplies along with officer training, computers and other related equipment.

The “Project Disarm” Task Force is an excellent tool that area law enforcement agencies to utilize to help detect, deter and reduce gun violence in the South Bend/Elkhart City/St. Joseph County area.