INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears on Tuesday announced a new community outreach team that will work to establish and strengthen relationships between his office and members of the community.
Mears said Karla Lopez-Owens will serve as community outreach director. Leah Weidner and LeAndre Level will serve as community outreach coordinators.
According to the prosecutor's office, the aim of these relationships is to build trust with the criminal justice system and build new strategies for improving public safety and the quality of life for Marion County residents. The community outreach team will also be responsible for developing and managing crime prevention programs, philanthropy activities and community connections "emphasizing underserved populations for the Prosecutor's Office."
Lopez-Owens is a graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Indiana University McKinney School of Law. Prior to working at the prosecutor's office, she worked with an immigration law group.
Weidner has worked for the prosecutor's office for 25 years. A graduate of International Business College, she has worked primarily in an outreach capacity, the prosecutor's office said.
Level joins the office with a background in public policy and civic participation. He most recently worked with the Indiana Senate Democrats Committee.
