FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Area police believe a big reason it’s hard to solve local murders is a lack of witnesses willing to testify. A new program could help change that.

Allen County Prosecutor Karen Richards attended a community meeting over the weekend to announce an official witness protection program:

“If you have information, and that information is critical to a case, and you need to be put someplace in a protective situation, we have the funds, and we have the ability,” Richards tells ABC 21.

Fort Wayne Police have told WOWO News on several occasions that witnesses to violent crimes seem to be afraid to speak out over fears of retaliation.

They’re also discussing requiring security cameras to be set up outside larger apartment complexes in town.