Last Two Weeks Show Buttigieg's Record of Failure for South Bend
INDIANAPOLIS – South Bend Mayor and aspiring presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg claims his is a “turnaround city.” But the facts tell a different story. Not only are the city’s poverty and eviction rates high, but it is also “one of the most dangerous cities” in America.
Although national media are not yet reporting on Buttigieg’s failed record, his failure has already become a hot topic in this year’s race to replace him as mayor of South Bend. A recent mayoral debate focused on the issues of “crime [and] the controversy surrounding the South Bend Police tapes,” both critical issues that Buttigieg must contend with in his run for higher office.
“Pete Buttigieg talks a good game, but the facts of his failed leadership in South Bend will eventually catch up with the hysteria surrounding his candidacy,” said Kyle Hupfer, chairman of the Indiana Republican Party. “If he can’t effectively run a small-sized city in the Heartland of America, how is he supposed to lead a nation of 300 million-plus people?”
The issue of crime has long plagued the city. In fact, according to a report published by USA Today:
South Bend, Indiana is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. There were 1,012 violent crimes in South Bend for every 100,000 residents in 2016, more than double both the state and national violent crime rates of 405 incidents and 386 incidents per 100,000 people, respectively.”
The disturbing trend – or, as Buttigieg calls it, a “cycle of violence” – is continuing as his attention is increasingly shifting toward his national ambitions.
Here is an overview of South Bend’s violence – and Buttigieg’s negligence – in just the last two weeks:
March 29 Shooting:
- South Bend’s northwest side was the scene of a March 29 shooting in which a man “suffered a non-life-threatening wound to his arm.”
- Where was Buttigieg? On March 29, Buttigieg was hobnobbing with Hollywood royalty before filming an episode of “Real Time with Bill Maher” in Los Angeles, just one day after speaking at an event in San Francisco.
March 31 Shooting:
- Two days later, on March 31, ABC 57 reported that police were investigating two separate shootings that took place within less than an hour of one another. Among those shot was an 11-month old boy.
- Later that night, another shooting took place on North Kaley Street in South Bend in which a man was shot while trying to meet a woman he met online.
- Then two days after that, an employee showed up to work at the South Bend Chocolate location in downtown South Bend to find herself confronted by an armed robber.
- What was Buttigieg doing? On March 31, Buttigieg was teasing his soon-to-be-released fundraising numbers on Twitter.
April 8 Shooting:
- On April 8, at the same location where the 11-month old boy was shot, another shooting took place resulting in the death of a 21-year old man.
- Where was Buttigieg? On April 8, Pete Buttigieg was hosting a meet-and-greet with voters in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“It’s starting to look like Pete Buttigieg doesn’t really care about South Bend after all,” added Hupfer.
