Residents press council for action on rising shootings and plea-deal concerns

Multiple residents used the public-comment period at the Sept. 16 Michigan City Common Council meeting to urge action on a reported rise in shootings across the city and to criticize prosecutors’ plea deals and bond decisions.

Tom Donning, a resident, cited recent shootings and asked why the council had not addressed the violence at prior meetings. “Where’s the resolution calling on the county prosecutor not to make plea deals with people arrested for shootings in Michigan City?” Donning asked. He cited several alleged recent incidents and expressed concern that plea agreements and low bonds return accused shooters to the community.

Donning and other speakers pressed the council to request stricter bonds and mandatory prison terms for convicted shooters; the speakers also criticized perceived unequal attention to public-safety problems across wards. Councilmembers responded by noting prior and ongoing efforts: Mayor-organized community gun-violence meetings, discussions of a council workshop on the topic (suggested by Dr. Cora), and invitations to involve law enforcement in a follow-up workshop.

Why it matters: Residents described a sharp increase in shootings and killings this year and asked elected officials to advocate for tougher criminal-court responses. The council did not take immediate formal action at the Sept. 16 meeting but several members said they would schedule follow-up discussions.

What’s next: Councilmember Dr. Cora suggested a council workshop on gun violence with law enforcement participation; the mayor previously organized a community meeting on the subject for additional public input.