INDIANAPOLIS — The relationship between law enforcement and communities across the country is in the spotlight this summer, and that's the case in Indianapolis as well, as the city seeks to stop a dangerous trend.
"I am very concerned by the amount of non-fatal shootings and homicides that Indianapolis has experienced this year, even though violent crime as a whole is actually down in Indianapolis,' said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.
While trying to make sense of what 2020 has brought the city's way, Hogsett and IMPD Chief Randal Taylor beat the pavement on Indy's far east side Wednesday, walking through the neighborhood and talking with residents near 38th Street and Post Road—one of the city's most violent areas.
The leaders say conversations with everyday residents is one way to tackle the city's issues head on.
"What were trying to do though is figure out why those things are happening. In the past we could look to the drug trade and point at least somewhat to some of that, but that's not the whole story right now. We have people that are killing each other over parking spaces, and things that are put out over social media," Taylor said.
Along for the public safety walk was Shonna Majors and her violence reduction team, which has been tasked with figuring out why residents of the Circle City are using guns to solve problems. She's spent the summer with more than 60 young people on the far east side listening to their problems and their causes.
"A Lot of this is boredom. Because all of the things that were available and open for kids to be able to do, they don't have that right now due to COVID. School starting back up kids are struggling with the e-learning. It's a lot of stress and pressure on a lot of people right now," Majors said.
East side resident and father Antonio Patton says it is important that he and his son see city leaders in their backyard, acknowledging there is a problem. "So as long as we were able to get them to come and do this this shows the community that they care as well, and they feel the same pain they feel," Patton said.
