Apparent rise in crime causing concern

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Multiple violent crimes including several stabbings, a fatal shooting and a fatal beating have some people in the Wabash Valley concerned.

Officials have said they've noticed the recent swell also.

"It kind of goes in waves. So you know, you may have some months where hardly anything happens, then you'll have a month where it seems like something's happening every other day or every other weekend," Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt said.

If you're looking for a simple answer as to why, you might blame the economy, and stress. An Indiana State University professor said those two factors can play a role, but she also said there's a lot more to it.

"No two [cases] are the same, and there are multiple factors and we don't know the exact cause, and isolate it other than it's multiple events," Dr. Jennifer Murray said.

So with that in mind, the real question most want to know is: should the public think that the Valley is turning into a place of crime?

"I don't think they should be concerned. It's just one of those things we have to deal with. It's society as a whole," Modesitt said.