Crime numbers went down in 2024 in the city of Lima, and the police chief sat down with us to talk about keeping the trend going. Lima Police Chief Jim Baker says that his department is looking at a 24% decrease in overall crime numbers in 2024. There is some data that needs to be added for December, but Chief Baker says he is glad to continue the downward trend in crime that the department had in 2023. And he attributes the lower numbers to several different areas. Technology has been a big benefit, especially with the FLOCK camera systems; they have recovered more stolen vehicles and issued warrants. The PACE team has been working hard in the community, and they are also seeing benefits to the West Central Ohio Crime Task Force, which some Lima Police Officers are part of.

Monday's session focused on bar owners within the community on how the city can assist in small business growth and development in Lima. According to statistics provided by the city, small businesses account for 99.6% of all businesses in the State of Ohio. An established relationship between the city departments, such as police and the RTA, and small businesses is pivotal for economic growth in Lima.

The Lima Police Department held their own trick-or-treat event downtown Thursday night. 

When both Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin and Allen County Sheriff Matt Treglia were looking into purchasing vehicles for each of their SWAT teams, they realized just how expensive that would be. This sparked the idea of combining the two. The agencies have already proved success of this in the past, by merging multiple safety forces. They include the West Central Ohio Crime Task Force, Regional Bomb Squad, and Dive Team.

Scam calls continue to be a problem for people of all ages, but especially for the older population. Those with the Lima Police Department say some of the more common scam calls involve scammers claiming to be from the IRS and that they need a cashier's check or a gift card to pay off whatever they're claiming that you owe.

Back in 2005, Timothy Ryan was found dead in an alleyway with a gunshot wound. Now 15 years later, Lima police are still trying to figure out who was with Ryan on the night he was shot.

The Lima Police Department are currently investigating a shooting outside of Harry's Hideaway Saturday night. LPD was dispatched to the bar right before 10:30.

According to LPD, the man motioned for 39-year-old Stephen Snyder to meet him in the parking lot. Once they were outside the man shot Snyder in the leg. He also shot at two cars and the outside of the bar.

It may be cold outside but the Lima Police Department is helping people in need warm up this winter.