FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP): A Fort Wayne mission that serves the homeless has beefed up staffing and is improving its security systems after an elderly staff member was beaten and other workers were threatened.

The Rev. Donovan Coley says the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission began noticing an increase in violence against the homeless six or seven months ago. He says that staff members have heard some incidents are the result of gang initiations.

Police have increased patrols near the mission on Superior Street, and the mission has banned community dining clients from wearing gang-related attire.

Coley says mission officials hope to raise $50,000 at an Oct. 17 event to help pay for additional staff and improved security.

He says many of the incidents involve people ages 18 to 25.