Warrants issued for 15 alleged gang members in Butler-Tarkington neighborhood
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis mayor Joe Hogsett and police chief Troy Riggs will hold a press conference Thursday morning to talk about the latest round of arrests related to gang activity in Indianapolis.
Sources told 24-Hour News 8 that 15 warrants were issued for alleged gang members in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood. At this time it’s still unclear how many people have been arrested.
Faith-based leaders say this is a step in the right direction as residents continue to speak up.
“Everybody really just seemed to come together unlike what I’ve seen in any other neighborhood in the city since I’ve been doing this work,” said Reverend Charles Harrison, Barnes United Methodist Church.
People living in Butler-Tarkington voiced their concerns last October at an emergency meeting. Police stepped up patrols after the spike in violent crimes, including the murder of 10-year-old DeShaun Swanson.
The Indy Ten Point Coalition held public safety walks with residents. And now five months later, Reverend Harrison said the neighborhood is relatively quiet.
“You look today, they’ve gone now 189 days without a homicide; just remarkable and it really speaks to what happens when the community comes together,” he said.
Reverend Harrison has been there every step of the way. He said police told him about the latest rounds of arrests. But he can’t say much until Thursday.
“Neighborhoods have to send a message to those who want to be involved in crime, those who want to be involved in violence, and those who try to terrorize neighborhoods that we’re not going to accept that in our neighborhood,” Rev. Harrison said.
The journey didn’t just happen overnight. Reverend Harrison believes this model can work for other troubled neighborhoods in the city of Indianapolis.
“I think what Butler-Tarkington has done, you know has been a testament for what any neighborhood can do if they decide to straighten up their backs and stand tall and say enough is enough,” he said.
The press conference is scheduled for Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m.
24-Hour News 8 contacted the president of the Butler-Tarkington Neighborhood Association for a comment. He said he was briefed by a commander, but said he can’t talk about it until Thursday.
