Indianapolis City-Council members hosted the first in a series of community conversations on public safety Thursday in an attempt to engage more voices.

Residents in Indianapolis will have an opportunity to give input on public safety during the first in a series of meetings.

The city recently signed a five-year, $9 million contract, and will start outfitting more than 1,000 officers next month.

Indianapolis leaders provided a public safety update in the face of surging violence in the city.
Homicides are up 39 percent over where they were last year in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) Director Dr. Virginia Caine gave free face coverings Thursday to families through a partnership with Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. The free face coverings were distributed in support of the countys new public health order, requiring all individuals to wear face coverings in public.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced further details regarding the independent review of the public safety response to protests. This follows criticism from the Marion County GOP.

Community-led public safety reform measures were announced by Indianapolis leaders Monday.

The Indianapolis City-County Council Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee met Wednesday night. The meeting included updates on numerous issues facing the city.

Indianapolis first responders now take extra precautions in the field to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The four male suspects, three of them 19 and the other 17, were in custody and a probable cause affidavit accuses them of killing the four on Feb. 5 during a robbery at an apartment on the Indianapolis' east side.