Indianapolis’ six most troubled small neighborhoods have been identified using statistical data, and the community is being asked to generate solutions to the city’s problems, officials said.
“This is not a program. This is a philosophical shift in the way government does business. Technology and data exists that never existed before. That’s why this is important,” said Public Safety Director Troy Riggs. “It’s not about arresting a lot of people. This is about enhancing the quality of life for residents.”
The next step is recruiting community partners and members of the public to work with law enforcement to address these areas and issues, Riggs said.
Getting the numbers
Valerie Washington, deputy director of the Department of Public Safety, said previous city department studies were hampered by data that was not as comprehensive or timely.
Riggs said his department invested $18 million on a new system to collect data. The following community partners also invested funding, provided data and pledged active support: Ten Point Coalition; City-Mosaic, a group of churches; IUPUI’s The Polis Center; Central Indiana Community Foundation; United Way of Central Indiana and Local Initiatives Support Corporation among others.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Rick Hite also contributed to the effort to identify specific city neighborhoods which need help.
Using data dating back to 2012, Riggs said they identified six areas: 16th and Tibbs; 29th and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; 34th and Illinois; 38th and Sherman; 42nd and Post; and New York and Sherman.
“We did not look at zip codes because those are too large. We’re not naming neighborhoods. We didn’t look at gender, race or any other demographics. We only looked at data,” added Riggs.
Their data considered population size; types of police calls and compared those numbers to the rest of Indianapolis; median real estate prices; marital status of residents; residents’ level of education; income; juvenile crime; and vacant properties.
Indianapolis Public Schools also contributed information for data purposes to give DPS an understanding of expulsions in schools in the identified areas.
A closer look
For example, the 38th Street and North Sherman Drive area, located near the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, is 1.5 square miles and its population is 6,160 or .7 percent of the entire population. This area is responsible for 11,567 (or 1.7 percent) of police runs and 288 fire runs. Residents also have a 948 percent greater chance of being involved in a homicide.
“We understand most of the calls are for emergencies,” said Hite. “Mental illness also plays a significant roll in our calls. And we know this is underreported.”
Other data: over 53 percent of the population has never been married and over 17 percent are single females with children compared to over 9 percent for the entire Indianapolis population. Most residents do possess at least a high school diploma (which is higher than the city average), and the majority of residents’ annual income is $25,000 to $49,000.
When looking at IPS’ contributed data on this zone, 12 students were expelled from January 2013 to August 2014. Of that number, the majority were in high school (59 percent) followed by middle school (33 percent). Thirty-three percent were expelled for drugs followed by fighting, use of a deadly weapon, destruction of property, intimidation, defiance and other offenses.
Over 60 percent of juveniles are charged with misdemeanor offenses.
Riggs wanted the public to note that while youth have opportunities not to enter the penal system, instances such as no one answering the police’s phone call or simply refusing to pick the youth up results in reluctant formal action.
Vacant homes also blight this area.
Numbers may differ by area, however each area has uniform categories of data.
Riggs said the 16th and Tibbs area is the safest among the six identified areas, while data indicates the 29th/MLK and 38th/Sherman areas are the most dangerous.
People should still note, residents in these areas have a 595 percent greater chance of being involved in a homicide and a 607 percent chance of being involved in a shooting therefore none of the six areas are truly safe.
“The bigger picture with this initiative is that if we want to tie in some of the economic development that’s needed in these areas, you need things like grocery stores, quality child care, quality schools to draw people in,” added Washington.
Time for some action
The DPS now knows where they need improvement, however this is where the community comes in. Now that various issues are identified, community partners can go into those areas and work on solutions.
For example, the city’s code enforcement department is now charged with addressing vacant homes. The Indiana County Sherriff’s office is working with Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services and others to develop a plan to deal with mental illness.
Among students who were expelled, education advocates are searching for those students and will do follow up. Riggs said his office is also working with churches to provide safe places for youth activities and meals for hungry kids.
Riggs described Mayor Greg Ballard’s plan as addressing prevention, protection and punishment.
To prevent crime, Ballard is looking to expand preschool; engage reentrants through the Indianapolis Parole Accountability Team; and continue grant support to agencies that are currently working to address issues.
To better protect citizens, 50 officers will be hired per year and because of the violence, a full-time SWAT team has been added to IMPD’s fleet of officers. Indy was also one of seven American cities awarded a Code for America grant through Homeland Security.
Lastly, Riggs said Mayor Ballard will seek support from the Indiana State Legislature to gain their support of mandatory minimum sentencing of 20 years for violent felons with guns. Riggs is in full support of a Correctional Engagement Center that allows non-violent perpetrators an immediate chance at rehabilitation versus jail time.
“Instead of putting people in jail and putting the burden on the system, they may be getting help for the first time. And if someone makes one mistake, they don’t have to be introduced to the judicial system,” said Riggs.
Though not officially on the list, Riggs wants his department to work on regaining and building trust within the community.
Riggs stated since the identified six areas have 42,000 residents and only make up eight square miles, he is confident things can change.
DPW’s Washington said bi-weekly meetings will be held to ensure accountability and immediate action among community partners.
“People aren’t going to like all of this and I get it. If you don’t agree on one part, help us with another part. We’ve got to grow as a community and work hand in hand,” said Riggs.
For more information or view data, call the Department of Public Safety at (317) 327-5090, email dps@indy.gov, or visit Indy.gov/eGov/City/DPS.
