Mayor Ballard and IMPD to focus on 6 dangerous Indy-area neighborhoods
Six areas around Indianapolis that produce a disproportionate amount of the city's violent crime will get extra attention from police over the next year. These areas have overall higher rates of homicide, shootings, police runs and drug overdoses.
According to public safety director Troy Riggs, these six areas account for 4.7 percent of the Indianapolis population, but for 27 percent of the homicides and 30 percent of non-fatal shootings.
The city's goal, announced Thursday, is to reduce crime and enhance the quality of life in what they describe as the city's most challenging areas.
"We believe they deserve better," Riggs said.
Rather than more police, Mayor Greg Ballard says the approach is about finding ways to provide more mental health resources and more food for needy kids in the targeted areas. He says it's a "more holistic" way to address crime.