IMPD Hosts Community Meetings

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department districts are holding a series of community meetings this month.  The virtual meetings come after a record year of violent crime.

This week East District Commander Richard Riddle gave an overview of the year’s efforts and priorities moving forward.

The east district recorded 38 percent of the city’s 241 murders last year.  Riddle said this is unacceptable but that the district also has a perception problem.

“That term can have some stigma attached when every time you hear a crime occuring it’s generically used ‘the east side,’” he said.

Riddle said priorities this year include reducing homicides and non-fatal shootings. He highlighted work to seize illegal guns and drugs. There was also discussion of so-called hot spot policing. 

Riddle said when he first came to the district he thought he knew what that meant.

“What we have since learned is that some of those long-term negative effects, negative perceptions, negative feelings towards policing and specifically IMPD have crept up over time and we’re doing our best to address that,” Riddle said.

One community member asked what they could do to help.  Riddle said communication is critical.

“If you don’t want to call 911 or are afraid of some of the things going on in the community, please follow up with Crimestoppers,” Riddle said.

The tip line is 100 percent confidential. IMPD’s has three more community meetings planned this month.

Feb. 11: Southwest District
Feb. 16: Southeast District
Feb. 18: North District

To find out what IMPD district serves your neighborhood, click here.