When the word “crime” is mentioned, not many people would associate that with the word “Ames.”

However, the link between those two entities was discussed in a round-table discussion in front of nearly 300 Ames residents Tuesday night, along with other important issues.

“We have had 14 serious violent crimes since the first of the year, and seven have occurred since August 25th,” said Chuck Cychosz, chief of Ames Police.

Since that date, there were three armed robberies, two homicides, a carjacking, an assault with discharge of a firearm and a kidnapping incident. Cychosz was quick to reassure the generation-spanning crowd that most of those incidents have been resolved.

“We have issued warrants or made arrests in five of the seven cases, and we have a lot of information on the other two,” he said. “We have established a tip line for people who can help with the investigations.”

One of the major points brought up in the open forum section was the number of allegations that existed between the spike in the crime rate and people moving to Ames from the inner Chicago area.

“We have been asked whether these incidents have ties to Chicago or other urban centers,” Cychosz said. “Of the seven cases, we see four that have that common thread, and that is unusual.”

That sentiment was not well received by some of the residents who were present at the meeting and they voiced their displeasure.

“I’m a part of that crime world that came from Chicago,” said Marvin Lewis of Ames. “There are people who came down here with criminal backgrounds, but they wanted to change. People ask, ‘Can anything good come out of Chicago, or Ames?’ Well, you’re looking at it.”

Cychosz, and other members of the City Council, were quick to discredit the connection.

“We’re concerned that the connection brings out a negative attitude,” Cychosz said. “People who come here to commit serious crimes are criminals. That’s the bottom denominator.”

Another issue that was involved in the forum was a discussion of Section 8 qualified families. Section 8 is a federal program that helps low income individuals and families get assistance with finding rental properties.

“Our program in Iowa is exceptional in a few areas,” said Vanessa Baker-Latimer, housing coordinator for the city of Ames. “We have a much shorter waiting list, better employment and schooling opportunities. Our waiting list is currently at 18 months, while in some states, families could wait for eight to 10 years.”

Such factors have lead to Ames being a desirable spot for families to relocate to, which is easy to do in Section 8. Families who are eligible could theoretically move anywhere in the United States where there is a public housing association that uses Section 8, Baker-Latimer said in a presentation.

“This is not an entitlement program – families must qualify for it and abide by regulations once they receive assistance,” Baker-Latimer said.

The city administers 222 housing units in this program, but only 77 percent of the units are currently under a lease. Of those units used, two-thirds are used by white families.

One of the main themes of the resident’s concerns was one of unity.

“Look to the left and right of you. Instead of recognizing Iowans, or Chicagoans, recognize people,” Marvin Lewis said.