INDIANAPOLIS — As part of a community-focused public safety strategy, Mayor Joe Hogsett introduced the new Director of Community Violence Reduction, Shonna Majors, and launched the Community-Based Violence Prevention Partnership, a grant program that will seek to invest nearly $300,000 into Indianapolis neighborhoods this year. The public safety strategy also includes the ongoing targeted enforcement of illegally-possessed handguns by IMPD and their state and federal partners.
An Indianapolis native, Shonna Majors grew up on the eastside, experiencing a challenging childhood and becoming a victim of gun violence at age 16 — an event that motivated her to choose a more productive path and complete her education. Shonna went on to graduate from Pike High School and receive a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminology from Indiana State University. She has spent more than 20 years working in the criminal justice system.
As the first Director of Community Violence Reduction, Shonna will work in the Office of Public Health and Safety, coordinating the community intervention component of Mayor Hogsett’s anti-violence initiative, and serving as a bridge between law enforcement agencies, community groups, and neighborhoods. Shonna will oversee the Indy Peacemakers — a group of local activists that will provide day-to-day operational and capacity-building assistance to community groups engaged in violence prevention.
With applications for 2018 grants open, the Community-Based Violence Prevention Partnership will invest an additional $1 million over three years directly into Indianapolis neighborhoods. In combination with the Community Crime Prevention Grant program administered by the Central Indiana Community Foundation — which has seen a 50 percent increase in funding over the last two years — this represents the largest investment in neighborhood-based anti-crime efforts in more than a decade.
The new initiatives come on the heels of IMPD returning to community-based beat policing April 23, rolling out 78 beats across the city that allow officers to build relationships and trust in the neighborhoods they serve.
The funding will be awarded to community organizations, helping to support evidence-based violence reduction programming and wraparound services. Applications will be accepted until July 6, 2018 with awards to be announced mid-July. To learn more and begin the application process, visit OPHS.indy.gov.
