Indy Officials Say Downtown is Ready to Host NCAA

Indianapolis city officials expect around 20,000 visitors downtown during the NCAA March Madness Tournament.

Downtown Indy, Inc. and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department are working to improve public safety measures so visitors will feel safe to venture out.

IMPD Deputy Chief of Operations Josh Barker said hosting the tournament puts Indianapolis in the national spotlight.

“Indianapolis has been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to display and showcase to the rest of the world, I mean this garners international attention, just how well we play host to convention and sports here, Barker said.”

Barker says they are addressing this year’s additional safety challenges. New measures include Civilian Safety Ambassadors and IMPD cadets patrolling the streets.

“Global pandemic, civil unrest, a very politically charged election, and all things in between, so obviously those events are still very fresh in people’s minds,” Barker said.

IMPD plans also include the surveillance cameras already installed with a focus on the Mile Square area around the circle. That is part of the city’s B-Link program that connects personal and business security cameras with IMPD.