Indianapolis Gun Violence Problem Analysis
Learn More about Indianapolis Gun Violence Problem Analysis
Our Violence Reduction Work in Indianapolis
After local faith and community leaders advocated to the Mayor and City/County Council to implement an effective strategy to reduce violence, the City of Indianapolis entered into a partnership with NICJR to assess the state of violence in the city. We first conducted a Landscape Assessment and then Gun Violence Problem Analysis. The City later agreed to implement a gun violence reduction strategy (GVRS) based on recommendations in these reports.
The City of Indianapolis launched its Gun Violence Reduction Strategy in partnership with NICJR in January 2022. Through ongoing training and technical assistance to the Office of Public Health and Safety (OPHS) and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), we have supported the City in standing up the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) initiative Indy Peace; created a data-driven performance management process, including monthly meetings with the Mayor and top city officials to track and assess GVRS progress; and we have worked with IMPD to launch, expand, and improve weekly Shooting Review meetings.
Transformative Investments
As a part of the strategy, the City utilized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to hire more than 50 community violence intervention (CVI) workers managed by OPHS in partnership with the Indy Public Safety Foundation. These Life Coaches, Street Outreach Workers, and Violence Interrupters are trained by NICJR to focus intervention efforts on the small number of individuals in the city who are at very high risk of gun violence and enroll them into the Indy Peace Fellowship. Fellows receive up to 18 months of intensive life coaching; support with basic needs; and stipends for achieving goals, to further incentivize participation in the program.
In addition to providing training and technical assistance, NICJR has supported this work by awarding $760,000 in NICJR Giving Initiative funding to eight community-based organizations carrying out community violence intervention work in Indianapolis.
Success of GVRS
The work of the City of Indianapolis and NICJR has already shown significant success. In the first three years after the launch of its Gun Violence Reduction Strategy (through the end of 2024), Indianapolis saw a 29% reduction in murders and nonfatal shootings.
These results have led to strong buy-in from City leaders. After initially allocating $150 million in ARPA funds to support GVRS, the City-County Council has approved general fund dollars to continue to support the strategy – ensuring the long-term sustainability of this life-saving work.
