Indianapolis, Indiana – As we already reported last month, the number of violent crimes cases have been on the rise for several years now and it looks like this year the Indianapolis area will break the ‘unpopular record’ once again.
While the city is claiming they are doing everything they can to stop the rising trend of violent crimes, Indianapolis area residents think there is much more to be done in solving this issue. What indeed is the city doing battling offenders?
According to Mayor Joe Hogsett, his administration already invested millions into programs, technology and other initiatives aimed at reducing violence. Although people don’t really see the results firsthand, he explained that it will take time until we see a downgrade trend.
Hogsett added that the city administration has launched a series of reforms to policing in the city, along with providing grants to community groups and funding to public safety programs outside of law-enforcement.
Some of the changes that were made in the policies were the response of the last year’s protest against police killing Black people in the city and across the country.
His office proposed a budget for the upcoming 2022 which includes an unprecedented $400 million from the federal American Rescue Plan. When the budget will be unveiled to the public, the city officials will explain the new violence-reduction efforts that should be put into force in the upcoming period.
“When the budget gets presented there’s going to be a robust discussion about public safety,” Hogsett said. “I think that everyone on the council, Republicans and Democrats alike, understand that gun violence, and public safety, generally, is the city’s top priority right now.”
The following list is just a fragment of the full list of things the city has done until now battling the violent crimes and offenders:
IMPD body cameras: Starting summer 2020, Indianapolis authorities are equipped with body cameras, something that many other states already had with years. The several-year-long debate about the cost of the project and keeping safe civil rights ended last August when the Mayor was able to finally find money and fund the project. As of now, the body-cam footage was used as an evidence in at least six critical incidents.
De-escalations tactics: One of the projects that the mayor is proud of is the de-escalations tactics every Indy officer had to retake. Last year the department rewrote its use-of-force policy and every single officer was obligated to retake the course as it became effective immediately. Officers are now required to de-escalate any situation before they use the regular methods.
Technology to fight crime: The city administration decided to invest a large sum of money, reaching $1.5 million, in software and technology. According to them, this technology should help authorities to follow trends of violent crimes and specific areas and blocks. Having that kind of information is essential as authorities and others involved in the public safety will put their pressure into taking care of these, more dangerous areas.
Additionally, the city also added some other things in what they call it ‘police reforms’ including: Civilian oversight, Bans on aggressive tactics, Grants to grassroots groups, Domestic violence and mental health resources.
