Indy Peace presented at the annual meeting of Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence, spotlighting their community-based approach to reducing gun violence in the Circle City.
A partnership between the Indy Public Safety Foundation and the City of Indianapolis’ Office of Public Health and Safety, Indy Peace was developed as part of Mayor Joe Hogsett’s Violence Reduction Strategy. The initiative emphasizes investment in law enforcement, behavioral health services and solutions to address the root causes of violent crimes.
Shardae Hoskins, lead program manager for Indy Peace, outlined the initiative’s targeted strategies, recent work and Indy Public Safety Foundation programs, including:
- Intervention efforts in high-risk areas.
- Relationship building with people most at-risk for gun violence.
- Development of long-term change through community building, engagement and partnership.
“This meeting was an incredible opportunity to connect directly with those who share our vision for a safer Indianapolis,” Hoskins said. “It was especially significant to host the discussion in one of the very neighborhoods where our team has been working tirelessly over the last two months — underscoring the importance of being present and proactive in the communities we serve.”
The presentation was met with discussion on how to expand Indy Peace’s reach and impact in focused neighborhoods.
Indy Peace’s efforts to reduce gun violence are seeing measurable results. Indy has seen a more than 32% reduction in criminal homicides and a 19% reduction in non-fatal shootings since 2022.
For more information visit indypeace.org.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
