In response to a steep increase in gun violence in Indianapolis, the city announced plans Wednesday to expand a gun intelligence program.



The Crime Gun Intelligence Center, CGIC, uses technology, forensics and intelligence to identify firearms and the people who use them.



Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett says this information is invaluable.



"There is at least one variable that is common to most homicides... a gun," says Hogsett.



IMPD will add five staff members to the center. The city will also partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in an increased effort to prosecute cases involving illegal guns through the federal system.



U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler says gun intelligence can help solve the difficult problem of gun violence.



"Investigating and prosecuting suspects for those crimes and preventing those crimes has proven persistently difficult," says MInkler.



The intelligence center, launched last year, led to about 330 arrests and the seizure of 250 crime guns.



Other crime reduction strategies include continued gun violence intervention practices, re-entry investments and crime prevention funding.