5 steps South Bend Prosper Apartments says will improve safety after serious crimes
Feb. 2, 2025
SOUTH BEND — Prosper Apartments say they're working to improve resident safety after multiple serious crimes, including shootings, occurred at the complex in the past year.
The South Bend Police Department responded to the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and 30th Street around 10:45 p.m. Jan. 20 on the report of a shooting. They found a man on the north end of the complex suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, police said.
The victim, a 20-year-old man from South Bend, was transported to the hospital for treatment, the department said. Police did not provide an update on his condition. The department's Violent Crimes Unit is investigating this incident and there is no suspect information to release publicly at this time, police said Jan. 30.
This incident follows another shooting at Prosper Apartments on the 200 block of Rue Flambeau just before 1 a.m. on June 30, in which three shooting victims were hospitalized for their injuries. Around 11:30 a.m. police reported that one victim, 20-year-old Robert Jeffries, died from his injuries.
The department’s detective bureau resolved all seven of their open murder investigations in 2024; however, no arrests have been made in connection to Jeffries’ murder, the police department confirmed on Jan. 22. Police didn't provide much information regarding the 16- and 17-year-old victims involved, but did say they were released from the hospital.
The area by Prosper Apartments experienced multiple Part 1 crimes from September to December of 2024, including: six aggravated assaults, one motor vehicle theft, one vehicle larceny, four burglaries to residences, one robbery to a person, one drug arrest, two informal shots fired calls and two case-generated shots fired calls. Part 1 crimes consist of criminal homicides, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and arson, according to the FBI’s definitions. The number of criminally assaulted shooting victims in 2024 (62) continues a downward trend from 80 criminally assaulted shooting victims in 2023, the police department said in their Jan. 16 public safety update.
The police department assists apartment complexes in the city by hosting monthly meetings to inform them of the crime statistics in their complex. They also discuss what steps to take when an occupant is dealing with something, and informing about ways to gather reports. Additionally, officers are at times invited to talk with a complex about general safety.
"We go over the crime that's going into their area and also preventative things that they can do to improve their complex," Sgt. Jarveair Bourn said. "Maybe that's us telling them getting cameras or integrating with us with the Real Time Crime Center."
Prosper’s owners, South Bend based H&A Property Management LLC, who purchased the 739-unit complex in September of 2021, said they take these incidents very seriously.
“While the recent shooting incidents appear unrelated to our tenants and may reflect broader challenges within the community, we are committed to doing our part to create a safe and welcoming environment for our residents,” H&A’s vice president of operations, Nick St. Clair, said by email on Jan. 22.
He described five proactive measures Prosper is taking to improve resident safety.
Enhanced screening criteria
Prosper has implemented stricter screening standards for new tenants, including more stringent background checks, St. Clair said. “These measures are designed to foster a community of responsible and conscientious residents,” he said.
Improved property lighting
Prosper is upgrading lighting across the property with a focus on darker and less visible areas, which they say is critical for safety. The improvements are underway with more upgrades planned, St. Clair said.
On-site police substation
A police substation, with visible law enforcement presence, is on the property. “This partnership helps deter criminal activity and fosters stronger collaboration between law enforcement and the community,” St. Clair said.
Third-party security patrols
Regular patrols of the property are conducted through a professional third-party security company, which allows Prosper to monitor activity more closely and address any concerns promptly, they said.
Resident engagement
Prosper encourages residents to report any suspicious activity immediately. The internal processes for tracking and addressing these reports efficiently has been improved to ensure that safety concerns are handled with urgency, St. Clair said.
St. Clair reiterated H&A’s commitment to the South Bend community to make the city “a safe, vibrant, and thriving city,” saying that they continue to collaborate with local law enforcement, residents and the community to ensure they’re doing their part to contribute to South Bend’s progress.