City Officials Add Security Downtown Ahead Of Basketball Tournaments

Indianapolis city officials outlined plans Monday to keep fans safe during upcoming college basketball tournaments.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief of Operations Josh Barker said efforts include additional cameras as part of the b-link program, public safety ambassadors and a new partnership with Relay -- a locally developed app-based community engagement and crime prevention service.

“It allows app users to directly report non-emergency incidents directly to the officers who are close by them while also being able to send pictures and videos of what they are reporting,” Barker said.

IMPD receives the reports through the app in real-time, providing more context prior to arrival that allows for safer and more efficient responses. Users receive real-time updates from IMPD on the reported concern and can also sign up to be alerted to any important messages from IMPD.

The Big Ten men’s and women’s tournaments begin this week at Lucas Oil Stadium and Bankers Life Fieldhouse, respectively. 

The NCAA Men’s Division I tournament begins March 18, with opening round games at Indiana and Purdue universities. Second round and Sweet 16 games will be played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Butler University. The Elite Eight and Final Four games will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium.