TPD speaks out on crime spike in central Topeka neighborhood

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Local law enforcement say a string of violent incidents near the 1300 block of Western Avenue have not gone unnoticed.

Since June, the area has seen three murders, a shooting and stabbing that were both non-fatal, and two instances of arson.

Captain Jerry Monasmith with the Topeka Police Department told 27 News it's not a typical pattern for the neighborhood.

"We're here for community safety," Monasmith said, "and we wanna be here whether it's during the day or night to kind of promote some of that. What we wanna do is really disrupt what we've seen."

Monasmith said he could not go into specifics because investigations are ongoing, but confirmed some of the incidents are connected while others are isolated.

"We do see some in that area that we've had since June first that are related," Monasmith said.

He also said community problems need community solutions. He encourages anyone with helpful information to partner with police.

Police can be emailed at telltpd@topeka.org or contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128.

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