ZIONSVILLE — It has been named one of the safest cities in Indiana — and even the country — but police in Zionsville are building a new crime reduction unit for the community of nearly 29,000 people.
It’s called SAFE, which stands for Strategically Applied Focus and Enforcement.
“We are a safe community. We understand that. But the goal is always no crime; not low crime, it’s no crime," said Zionsville police Sgt. Joshua Samuelson.
The department began planning the unit four months ago after noticing a slight, but steady uptick in crime trends over the last five years.
“We’re a microcosm of the greater central Indiana area, so if we’re seeing increases in other areas — Carmel, anything in Hamilton County, Indianapolis — we have to assume it’s eventually going to get to us," said Zionsville police Capt. Drake Sterling.
SAFE focuses on three areas: crimes against persons, property crimes and acting as a liaison to other agencies. It will utilize both uniformed and plainclothes officers, as well as flexibility in schedules.
"It's really just a means to deter and keep Zionsville the safest it can be," said Sterling.
Sterling said all costs of personnel, training and equipment for SAFE are covered under the current budget.
Over the last five years, several rankings have put Zionsville in the top safest cities in the U.S. In 2020, the FBI reported there were 379 total offenses in Zionsville.
The goal of SAFE, police say, is to make the community even safer.
"There's nothing wrong with making a safe community safer," Samuelson said.
Zionsville police say they've looked to neighboring departments with similar units, like Fishers. Officials would not disclose how many officers will be assigned to SAFE, but selection is already underway, with specialized training slated to start soon after.
SAFE could launch in Zionsville as early as May.
-
Holiday season busy for urgent cares and ERs with flu season and injuries
From holiday injuries to cold and flu, urgent cares and emergency rooms start to see an uptick in patients this time of year.
Kids shop with the Colts for the holidays
An evening to remember for some young people with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. Tuesday, about 15 "littles" got to shop with a Colts player for the holidays.
New Boys & Girls Club lounge helps support youth literacy in Indy
The LeGore Unit Literacy Lounge has been transformed into a vibrant space stacked with books of all genres, posters and cozy nooks to curl up in.
Hope Center Indy helps trafficking survivors rebuild their lives
With help from an anti-trafficking organization, Jones came to Indianapolis from California and found Hope Center Indy, a place she says saved her life.
