Gun crimes spiked in Bloomington last year

BLOOMINGTON (25News Now) - Gun crimes spiked in Bloomington last year that the police chief said is the result of increased availability of guns nationwide.

Department’s data showed the number of shootings went up by roughly a third in 2022, from 31 to 42.

Police said there were 15 people shot last year, from 12 in 2021. Bloomington had five gun-related homicides last year, from three the year before.

Police confiscated two-thirds more firearms last year, from 53 to 81.

“Across the board, it appears that because of the availability of guns, they move within communities, they come from other states into communities,” Police Chief Jamal Simington told the city council Monday night.

“Where there’s a demand, there’s a source,” the chief said.

Simington believes the department’s community engagement strategy will encourage people to come forward with information to help solve crimes and take more guns off the streets.

“It’s concerning, but it’s one we will continue to give our full effort to control,” said Simington.