According to recent crime reports, so far this year the City of Indianapolis has racked up over 45 criminal homicides, or an average of about one homicide every 3.48 days. This statistic compares to the more than 70 victims killed in June 2014 and 2013. While crime statistics are low, students in the city and surrounding areas are now out for summer break, which is typically a time when crime rates rise along with the warm temperatures.
Unfortunately shootings continue to dominate the headlines, including a May 30 shooting outside the Madame Walker Theatre Center which injured two people and prompted IUPUI to issue an alert.
Some community leaders say they’re looking to combat crime this season and direct youth into positive environments. Rev. Charles Harrison, senior pastor of Barnes United Methodist Church and board president of the Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition, said the group has formed partnerships with community organizations, particularly in the six identified high crime areas, to assist the youth this summer.
“We’re going to be providing summer jobs working with YouthBuild Indy and the proceeds from our breakfast and other fundraisers we’re doing in churches and the business community, will go toward helping provide summer jobs for our most at-risk youth,” said Harrison. “Last summer we did 400 youth summer jobs and we hope to equal that or do better this summer.”
The Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition got started in 1999 when ministers on the city’s west side wanted to respond to Indianapolis violence. In 1998 the City of Indianapolis had 162 homicides. After Harrison was able to hear Eugene Rivers from the Boston Ten Point Coalition speak about how churches got involved with stopping gang activity, he knew Indianapolis had to take action. He said more of the Ten Point’s peace patrols will be visible in the community.
“When we have OGs (original gangsters) and ex-offenders on the streets, they really help steer the youth in a different direction because they’ve been there and done that,” said Harrison. “Kids have a lot of respect for them because the people we send out there still have ‘street cred’ which is important and that’s why you see the crime numbers are down this year, because we have a lot more people talking to kids on a daily basis. They are able to reach the kids in ways pastors like myself cannot.”
Charles Ingram, neighborhood liaison for the northeast center district of the City of Indianapolis, stressed that jobs and mentoring programs will keep youth out of trouble this season.
“One of the jobs and partnerships we have developed is with IndyParks for lifeguards ages 16 and up. For those that don’t know how to swim, we have training for that,” said Ingram. “Each year these parks are in need of lifeguards and it’s a shame we don’t take advantage of them.”
Very frequently Harrison said he receives requests from parents seeking to enroll their child in a mentoring program, particularly mothers.
“We ask residents to get involved and join the efforts going on with churches and neighborhood associations in their areas,” mentioned Harrison. “If you want to start your own youth program, that would be a big help.”
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office is also joining in the efforts to host free programs to keep young people occupied and off the streets.
Tim Turner, district prosecutor said any group in the city can request the Prosecutor’s Office programs at their site.
“For anyone who wants us to come and put on these programs, we are happy to do it because we want to see crime decrease,” said Turner. “One of those programs involves Eskenazi Health and is called Educating Kids About Gun Violence. It’s not just about the legal issues involving gun violence but the health issues. We want to make sure kids understand both sides.”
Another program is called Choices Not Chances, which is a computer-based program children can complete on their own or with a provided leader that explains the importance of good decision making and the consequences if they do not.
“Our program Cyber Safety is also important because it teaches about the dangers of the Internet and social media. We tell them people aren’t always who they say they are, Snapchat doesn’t go away forever and the Library of Congress stores every tweet ever sent on Twitter,” he mentioned.
Harrison said of the 22 years he has been in the city, he has never seen more churches, individuals and organizations contribute their efforts to guiding youth.
“Other churches are developing job programs and creating safe havens for kids at night, particularly on the weekend. Ex-offenders are contacting us and want to help,”
He said the Ten Point Coalition has been receiving letters from those in prison who want to help and are providing ideas of how to help young people.
“They don’t want to see the youth make the same mistakes they did,” he said. “I’m really excited and impressed by what seems to be the community stepping up to the plate, especially in the urban core.”
