INDIANAPOLIS — In an effort to reduce crime and ensure the safety of residents and visitors to Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Violent Crime Reduction Initiative has developed a plan for the summer of 2013. This data-driven effort is focused on prevention, intervention, and supression of crime in specific identified locations around the city.
Prevention efforts will focus on youth and at-risk behaviors. IMPD Community Affairs, faith-based partners, Indy Parks, and social service agencies will provide programs and services. Some of the programs include a seven week program on restoring excellence, a 2013 gang resistance education and training summer camp from June 17-21, and a Community Affairs Boot Camp focusing on young males ages 13-18 who have or will likely have a negative encounter with police
Intervention efforts will provide assistance to people who have negative contact with police, and provide social services to those who need assistance. The “Open Spaces, Safe Places” initiative will include park rangers and IMPD to make public parks safe places; there will be increased police presence, extra patrols along roadways and pedestrian locations, and education of patrons concerning park rules and behavior.
In addition, IMPD is working with property managers of troubled apartment complexes to educate management and owners on addressing crime problems and eliminate future problems.
Suppression activities will target locations identified as high-crime areas. In those areas, including east side zip codes 46218 and 46201, there will be increased parole and probation sweeps, investigations into narcotics, gangs, and vice; and special attention paid to code enforcement concerns. The initiative will focus on high-risk offenders, their behaviors and locations they are known to frequent.
Studies indicate that crime increases in the summer months, peaking in July. In 2012, East District alone went on 14,062 radio runs in June and 14,992 runs in July — far more than any other district in Indianapolis.