Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson visited Indianapolis Friday to announce his support for Republican mayoral candidate Jefferson Shreve.
Johnson – who recently changed his party from Democrat to Republican -- touted his city's falling homicide rates.
While Dallas saw homicide rates drop in 2021 and 2022, those numbers are so far higher this year compared with the same time last year.
Johnson attributed his city's declining rates to focusing on “crime hotspots” and repeat offenders. He then told a crowd that something needed to be done about homicides in Indianapolis – and said Shreve was the man to do it.
Johnson said residents should think about safety when they go to the polls Tuesday.
“Most people would agree that we ought to be able to live in safety and there shouldn't be neighborhoods in Indianapolis that get to enjoy safety and certain neighborhoods where it’s like ‘good luck,’” he said. “That’s why I’m here. Indianapolis deserves that, Dallas deserves that, but it doesn’t take care of itself.”
Homicide rates in Indianapolis have fluctuated year over year since 2015. Rates were down in 2022 compared with 2021 but were still higher when compared with pre-pandemic levels.
Shreve told those gathered that Indianapolis will take its cues from other cities making strides to address public safety.
“Model them, meld them to the specifics of Indianapolis and apply them across our city not just at the violent crime level but at the property crime level,” he said.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett released the next phase of his violence-reduction plan earlier this year, which includes increased pay for city police and prosecuting more violent offenders on the federal level.
Election Day is Nov. 7.
