Some Gary Common Council members are asking the community to give some grace to the city’s police after residents voice concerns with the city’s level of crime.

Ivan Ursey and Christy Sass, two Gary residents, both said the city needs more police and have crime concerns. The two spoke during the public comment portion of the council’s Tuesday meeting.

Ursey, who also is chairman of the Gary Republican Party, said he knows someone who was held at gunpoint and had his wallet stolen. Police had helped by the time Ursey spoke at the meeting.

“It’s ridiculous,” he said. “We need more police in this city. … As I drive up and down the streets … you see people disregarding lights, speed limits and any other kinds of reckless jobs they feel like doing, and there’s no accountability.”

Ursey believes Gary’s police officers have the hardest jobs in Northwest Indiana, and he thinks there’s a shortage of officers. If police were paid more, Ursey said they could have more officers.

The average annual salary for Gary police officers is nearly $62,000, according to ZipRecruiter.

One week before Christmas, Sass heard gunshots outside her home. The next morning, she found out two people near her were shot and killed, and she still hasn’t seen updates.

To Sass, it seems that the shooting was random, which she said is scarier than if it was premeditated.

She added that the shooting happened about 7 p.m. but found out the next morning that the crime scene still hadn’t been investigated.

“I’m not happy about the fact that, since living here, I know the difference between gunshots and fireworks,” Sass said. “I used to not know if it was gunshots.”

Council President Tai Adkins, D-4th, responded to Ursey and Sass’ comments and said their questions should be directed to the Gary Police Department. Adkins told both residents that council members would follow up with Chief Derrick Cannon about their concerns.

The city of Gary declined to comment about the discussion.

Councilman Darren Washington, D-at large, told community members that it’s not the police department’s fault that they don’t have the necessary resources.

“We don’t have the tax base to be able to hire more police officers,” Washington said. “The Gary Police Department is trying to do the best that they can, so give them the decency and respect that you’re not the only one that’s grieving about crime that’s going on in our city.”

Washington’s brother, Leonard Washington, Jr., was shot seven times and killed Oct. 29, he said Tuesday. The shooter still hasn’t been caught, Washington said, but he knows the police are doing the best job they can.

Washington also asked community members to remember that police don’t stop crime, they react to it.

“It’s not their fault,” he said. “They need help, and they need resources. We need more officers, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

At the Dec. 23 Board of Public Works meeting, Chief Operations Officer Michael Suggs swore in nine new police officers. Three new firefighters were also sworn in at the meeting.

Councilwoman Marian Ivey, D-At Large, said she understands Washington’s sentiments because Ivey had a family member who was shot and killed on July 4. Ivey didn’t learn about their death until July 6, but she said the police department has worked diligently with her family since.

“It’s very sad,” Ivey said. “We’ve all dealt with things of that nature, not only in Gary, but I’ve watched the news in other cities, other states, and some of them are worse than Gary.”

Councilman Kenneth Whisenton, D-at large, called gun violence a difficult conversation and thanked residents for voicing their concerns. Although residents might not feel results are expedient enough, he wants them to understand that the city’s police have passion and effort.

Whisenton also encouraged community members to support law enforcement.

“It’s going to take every single one of us to come together to finally put an end to things we can’t stand anymore, in order for us to turn the tide and be the city I know we can be,” Whisenton said. “We all have the same passion, but it’s going to take all of us.”

mwilkins@post-trib.com