The vast majority of people do not commit violent crime.

The vast majority of people do not commit violent crime.

That's the philosophy of the Northern District of Indiana's top federal prosecutor, David Capp, and it's an idea that guides his office's aggressive efforts to get tough on crimes involving guns.

A similar resolve also drives efforts to cut down crimes committed by young offenders where early guidance can help direct them back to the right path.

The region is home to a profusion of multi-jurisdictional task forces, with one for almost every kind of crime, from drunken driving and political corruption to gang violence and narcotics trafficking.

Regarding violent crime, prosecutors say guns are a driving factor, which is why the federal Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses on them.

"In our area, we've got a level of violence that frequently involves firearms. It is generally a small portion of people that are committing a disproportionate number of the violent offenses, generally with a firearm," Capp said.

So it follows that a good way to combat crime is to focus on getting guns off the street, particularly when the people who possess them are felons.

Northwest Indiana traditionally has held one of the nation's highest rates of prosecutions of illegal gun possession, with per capita rates of illegal gun cases approaching levels seen in large cities, Capp said.

"Once you're convicted of a (felony) crime, you forfeit your right to carry a firearm," said Dennis Wichern, assistant special agent in change of Indiana for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Hammond Police Chief Brian Miller said one major benefit of working with federal authorities on gun crimes is the ability to hold people without bond.

Criminal suspects caught with guns are far more likely to remain in jail until the outcomes of their trials is brought before a federal judge. In the state court system, it's much easier to post bond and get out of jail hours after arrest, Miller said.

"It's fantastic. We love it," Miller said. "People on the street will tell you. Once the feds come after you, you're not getting out. It makes a big difference."

Lake Juvenile Court Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura says she hopes to catch young offenders early before they get to the advanced stage of crime that requires federal intervention.

Whenever a young offender is booked on charges, a new Lake County pilot program allows jail staff to conduct mental health screenings on the spot.

Although most kids pass without any flags, some show warning signs, even when they've been jailed for only minor offenses. For example, any type of suicide attempt or traumatic events in early life can trigger the need for more tests and monitoring.

Another initiative in Bonaventura's court has had a measureable impact on juvenile crime -- the Community Transition Program, which provides intensive services for kids who get early release from juvenile prison.

The program provides help for finding jobs and substance abuse programs, as well as services for parents of the young offenders. As a result, recidivism among kids in Lake County has been cut from 20 percent before the program to 10.8 percent today, Bonaventura said.

"I think the numbers speak for themselves," Bonaventura said.

The federal government pumps millions of dollars a year into the region to fund task forces to fight all kinds of violent crime involving gangs and drugs in the inner cities and suburbs.

St. John Detective Steve Rudzinski said region roads are also becoming safer, thanks in no small part to the federally funded Lake County DUI Task Force.

The task force has 16 local police departments which provide one or two roving officers on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to patrol major roads for drunken drivers. The officers are allowed to go into any jurisdiction, although they typically focus on busy roads like U.S. 30, 41 and 231 and Interstate 65.

"Years ago, people didn't think much about drinking and driving," Rudzinski said. "It's not acceptable anymore."