IMPD walks beat on Labor Day

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Officers from several Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department districts were out walking their beats on Labor Day, including in downtown and Fountain Square.

Fountain Square has gone through a years-long transformation. The officers say by simply walking up and down these streets they can protect what they’ve achieved.

“We get out, we interact with the community, talk to people,” said Officer Frank Miller, while walking along Shelby Street. “It humanizes us, it brings us to a level of, you know, we’re just like you.”

“Any concerns you may have or want to talk to us about or anything, about what’s going on in the neighborhood, problems you may have seen?” asked Officer Ted Brink near the area’s namesake fountain.

The duo walk the beat everyday. On Monday they were seen playing with a child in a fountain, talking to people while having lunch, and speaking to a group of homeless people.

“People give you information or they tell you about a trouble house or they thank you for what you’re doing,” said Miller.

IMPD instated the walking beats back in April to help reduce crime and calm the public’s fears.

“It keeps the other criminal elements out from showing their faces around because they know the police are here and the area has cleaned up so much more, I think, because of that,” said Charles Walters, while eating lunch.

“It’s very comforting to see them walking around and intermingling with the people,” said Denise Bradley after an interaction with the cops.

“It’s good that they’re out here. We appreciate it very much and we tell them all the time,” said Julie Morey, while sitting outside along Virginia Avenue.

IMPD has 19 walking beats. In addition to Fountain Square, they’re out in popular nightlife destinations like Broad Ripple, Mass Ave and South Meridian St.