INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis police have a new approach to crime fighting called the social disorder index.
The index is a formula for measuring problems in a particular area. It not only takes into account property crimes and violent crimes, but nuisance calls as well.
The areas adjacent to 38th and Illinois streets prove the most problematic for IMPD's North District. The small commercial corridor leads the district in the number of calls for service.
"It's the drugs, the drinking, the prostitution," said area resident Muzik Craig. "It's the younger generation, more so of them with nothing to do."
According to IMPD, police have taken more than 500 runs to businesses at the 38th and Illinois intersection this year, including more than 300 at the McDonald's alone. Just around the corner, the apartment building at 3710 N. Meridian St. has had nearly 300 calls for service over a six-month period.
"So when your kid gets up in the morning and all they see if the dope fiend and the wino, they're going to think it's cool to sit around and smoke marijuana and drink alcohol," said neighbor James Hayes.
North District police say the smaller quality of life issues create an environment that leads to the much larger crime problems like drug dealing, shootings and homicide. To combat this so-called social disorder index, police have concentrated more foot and bike patrols, partnered more with faith-based and community groups and mental health outreach specialists.
"There's a lot of concentrated issues with people with issues, mental health and substance abuse concentrated in that small area that contribute to our social disorder in that area," said IMPD North District Commander Chris Bailey.
While crime and social disorder remain a serious issue, overall crime in the surrounding neighborhoods has dropped by 5 percent in the pas year.
