Homicide numbers fall in Lake County but not in Porter, LaPorte counties, 2024 data shows: Report

Lake County saw a continued decline in homicides in 2024, with a 12% drop from 2023 and a 35% decrease since 2022. The county reported 65 homicides, with 36 occurring in Gary—a significant 30% decrease from 2023. Hammond reported 13 homicides, while East Chicago had only four, marking a 69% drop over four years and the lowest in over a decade, reported NWI.com.

The Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force played a key role in improving clearance rates, with East Chicago solving 100% of its cases and Gary achieving a 74% clearance rate, both exceeding the national average of 58%.

Despite the positive trend in Lake County, homicide numbers increased in neighboring Porter and LaPorte counties, highlighting persistent challenges in addressing violent crime across the region. Porter County recorded eight homicides, the highest in its recent history, and LaPorte County reported seven, a slight rise from 2023.

Most Lake County victims were Black men, averaging 36 years old, with gun violence accounting for 53 of the 60 confirmed causes of death. Law enforcement agencies credit collaboration and resource sharing for their success in reducing and solving homicides.