INDIANAPOLIS — Overall, crime in Indianapolis has went down by five percent in the past year, according to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief, Bryan Roach.
"The focus that we've had on robberies – and it's not just all robberies – but those that are being committed by the same person, or the same group of people… we've had a lot of wins there,” Roach said.
As part of the fight to bring peace to the streets of Indianapolis, the IMPD announced new anti-violence efforts in July.
Carlos Gonzalez of Indianapolis says he’s “not really” feeling safe. “They just robbed us two days ago,” Gonzalez said.
Another Indianapolis resident, Jamie Sliba, says, “It seems like they’re doing what they can. I feel safe.”
In July, Monty Krupinski shared his concerns about the neighborhood near 30th and Georgetown Road on the west side.
Since then, Krupinski says actions have improved. “I have seen them patrolling, yes,” Kruinski said. “And does that make you feel safer? Yes. It does make me feel safer.”
The city appointed Rob Fry and James Wilson as peacemakers in July. The two peacemakers have been serving under the city’s Director of Community Violence Reduction, Shonna Majors.
“Community engagement is my top priority,” Majors said. “I think they need to do something to help these kids and to give them something to do and keep them from this crime.”
Majors also recognizes that homicides have not decreased from the last year. But adds that community partnerships are building.
The director said two additional peacemakers will be added next year to work in high-crime neighborhoods. With that, police are adding 119 officers next year as well. The added officers will work in smaller geographical “beat” areas.
Another initiative the city plans to roll out in 2019 is the “Crime Gun Intelligence Center.” This plan will help identify and track gun casings found at several crime scenes across the city to connect crimes and find the criminals.
