The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has rolled out a new initiative to fight crime: a criminal tracking unit.
"Unfortunately there is a certain group of people that we interact with on a regular basis that just continues to not follow the rules of society," said IMPD Capt. Dave Allender.
Allender said police in every district have identified a select group of frequent flyers in the criminal justice system for ongoing surveillance – around-the-clock, if necessary.
"If they know they're being tracked, if they know their movements are being investigated, and we don't have to investigate them because they don't do bad things, then that's a good thing," Allender said.
Police have developed a list of criteria that will put offenders squarely in the sights of the Criminal Tracking Unit.
They include: people who are suspects, witnesses or victims in one or more shootings; people who carry or use illegal firearms; and people with extensive criminal histories.
"They made it because they're career criminals," said IMPD Chief Rick Hite. "They've made a career out of crime. And it's our job to reward them by putting them on the list for special consideration, pretty much 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
Police said they also plan to target offenders being released from prison. Those offenders will be offered re-entry services and alternatives programs.
"These are not stupid people," Hite said. "They're going to know the police are watching me a little more than the norm. Then maybe I need to clean my act up a little bit."
Hite said beyond just tracking these individuals, those who are arrested will be targeted for aggressive prosecution and lengthy prison terms.
