INDIANAPOLIS – As the violence on Indianapolis’ streets continues, one group is getting ready to hit the streets to do something about it.
The group will focus on Sherman Drive, which is an area known for violence.
They’re modeling their outreach efforts after Indy Ten Point Coalition, and the group has many members that identify themselves as “OG.”
“I’ve sold drugs from this very spot,” Craig Bledsoe admitted to RTV6 as we walked with him down the street. “The mindset was – you figured your life expectance would not be that long anyway – so you figured you live as high and wild as you could.”
Bledsoe, who calls himself an “old gangster,” was raised around the northeast side and says he knows the area well. He admits decades ago, he was part of the problem.
After going in and out of prison, Bledsoe turned his life around. He now heads a group called “Concerned OGs,” which works to reach out to the new generation.
“If nobody tells you that wrong is wrong, how are you going to know what’s wrong?” Bledsoe asked.
He’s living proof you can change the course of your own life.
“Think about what you’re doing,” Bledsoe said. “Think about your future.”
He has a team of seven people, and it’s only growing. He says the violence across the east side of the city shows young men need something more.
“I think they’re crying out,” Bledsoe said. “They just don’t have the right influences in their life to make the right decisions.”
Bledsoe plans to reach out to the community along Sherman Drive between 30th and 38th streets, where we’ve mapped seven homicides this year.
He says the group plans to walk the neighborhood Monday night, but are in the early stages and aren’t sure how often they’ll walk around that community.
He admits they need more resources to build a full team, but knows it’s sorely needed in the area.
If you want to help the group, Bledsoe wants to hear from you. Contact him at 317-717-0398.
