City Announces New Public Safety Investments

The city of Indianapolis has outlined new efforts to improve public safety amidst another violent year. 

City officials announced Thursday a proposal to spend more than $3 million in a series of initiatives based on community input and national best practices. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the investment will enhance police programs and efforts to address the root causes of violence, including mental health and trauma.

“Underpinning it all is the conviction that public health is public safety,” Hogsett said.

About $1.8 million will go towards efforts including the creation of a new domestic violence interrupter program.  There will also be a focus on more mental health help for juveniles and increased staffing at the new Assessment and Intervention Center.

Law enforcement investments include new early detection tools for IMPD and improved data analysis to focus more keenly on hotspot areas.  IMPD Chief Randal Taylor stood alongside council, city and community leaders in support of the new direction.

“I think this group of partners demonstrates an important fact, IMPD can not stop violence by itself,” Taylor said.

The city has recorded more than 100 homicides so far this year. The increase is blamed in part on a stress of the pandemic and historical mistrust in the system.

“The city and our overall system of criminal justice has still far to go in earning the trust of every Indianapolis resident,” Hogsett said.

The proposed package will have to be approved by the City-County Council.