IMPD expands Indy Peacemaker program
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – City officials and IMPD teamed up to create the Indy Peacemakers program last summer.
According to IMPD Chief Bryan Roach, the program is seeing results, so it is being expanded.
Members of Indy Peacemakers are regular people with a unique set of skills.
They are focusing their efforts on neighborhoods that have a history of violence and are working to provide resources to those who are at risk of falling into a violent future.
IMPD is doing everything from jumping rope to riding bikes and knocking on doors around the city to change public’s perception of police.
Officer Samone Willis with IMPD has played a major role in organizing a bike riding event on the city’s east side.
“It makes them know that they can trust us. It lets them understand the purpose (of) law enforcement, and it’s not to harass or hassle anybody,” Willis said. “And that we are that bridge between tragic incidents and things like that, and we are a resource to them as well.“
This kind of community outreach is all an effort to change the city’s future.
“We want the community to kind of change their mindset and their view of police officers and see us as a resource more than somebody that enforces things. And police officers also being able to see people as people,“ said IMPD Chief Bryan Roach.
Police have added three new members to the Indy Peacemakers team; members of the community who are more relatable and less intimidating to those living in at-risk neighborhoods for violence.
Casby Williams is one of the newest Indy Peacemakers. He grew up in Gary, Indiana but has lived in Indianapolis for the last 10 years.
“I think that the impact that we can make is making people feel more comfortable about resources that they need,” Williams said. “A lot of people know that there are resources out there, but they are afraid of reaching out to community people because they feel like it’s going to open up a bunch of other questions that they don’t feel comfortable with.“
IMPD is hoping these new relationships will help witnesses feel more comfortable coming forward with information about crimes.
“Even though it may be an area, it is not everyone in that area. Right, it is a small percentage of people. That in no way disparages particular communities,” Chief Roach said. “It is just the particular behaviors that are occurring there we are trying to address.“
The city is still pushing for more community involvement when it comes to cutting down on crime. Mayor Hogsett will be awarding money as part of a violence prevention grant again in 2019. Applications for that will be available on April 15.