INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett gave the community a look at some of the accomplishments achieved and a look into what’s next on his agenda at the State of the City address Wednesday evening.
Two of the most highlighted topics included community policing within the IMPD district, and ways to engage the city’s youth to lower crime and increase education opportunities.
Commander Roger Spurgeon said the policing initiative is all about getting to know the residents.
"Their concerns and my concerns may not match up at all. So, my job is to find out what their concerns are and then us work together to find out mutually acceptable solutions to those concerns,” said Spurgeon.
Hogsett said by the end of 2018, every IMPD officer and 911 operator will have completed crisis intervention training. He also plans to put 86 more officers on the streets, in addition to the 38 already added.
Hogsett: Last May IMPD returned to beat policing and the 2018 budget will include more officers
— RTV6 Indianapolis (@rtv6) April 19, 2017
Also during the address, Hogsett unveiled the signing of an executive order for an initiative called The Indianapolis Promise, which will work to ensure every student has quality, post-high school training. He said students need to complete higher education to compete in today’s job market.
"We will also provide the essential support to help students complete that degree, and complete it on time." #StateofIndy #IndyPromise
— Mayor Joe Hogsett (@IndyMayorJoe) April 19, 2017
"We have chosen to do better for our children because we still believe in the American Dream." #StateofIndy
— Mayor Joe Hogsett (@IndyMayorJoe) April 19, 2017
"If we are truly to embrace the concept of Indy has 1 city, we must close these opportunity and achievement gaps." #StateofIndy
— Mayor Joe Hogsett (@IndyMayorJoe) April 19, 2017
The mayor said the way to educating the youth is though crime prevention programs.
“We must get guns out of the hands of our children and we must get guns out of the hands of our young people,” he said.
In partnership with Crime Stoppers, IMPD will offer youth $750 for a tip that leads to a felony arrest. A $300 reward will also be given for tips that led to a misdemeanor charge.
“Together we can send a message that one life, young or old, one life lost to gun violence is one life too many,” said Hogsett.
"We will demolish 2,000 homes in the next 2 years." #StateofIndy pic.twitter.com/WsothzvCpb
— Mayor Joe Hogsett (@IndyMayorJoe) April 19, 2017
Hogsett: 313 dangerous buildings and abandoned homes have been demolished in the past 15 months #StateofIndy
— RTV6 Indianapolis (@rtv6) April 19, 2017
It's been a great year in tech for Indianapolis. #StateofIndy pic.twitter.com/HMlSxj5iHJ
— Mayor Joe Hogsett (@IndyMayorJoe) April 19, 2017
He also mentioned several items accomplished over the past 15 months, such as the installment of 100 new street lights, the decrease in the city’s structural deficit by 50 percent and increased funding to city parks for the first time since 2003.
You can watch Hogsett's full address in the video player below:
