Work in Indianapolis

NICJR’s 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—first to conduct a series of analyses related to violence, and later to implement a gun violence reduction strategy.

NICJR began by developing a Landscape Assessment of local violence prevention programs and initiatives. This report also offered a series of recommendations to the City, the first of which was to conduct a detailed analysis of shootings and homicides, known as a gun violence problem analysis.

In August 2021, the City released NICJR’s Gun Violence Problem Analysis detailing the nature and extent of gun violence in Indianapolis. This report was featured on Fox59 News. Following its release, NICJR played a key role in securing funding from the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) for new gun violence reduction services. NICJR also supported the hiring process for a full-time Violence Reduction Director, which was another recommendation in the initial assessment. NICJR was also instrumental in the expansion of the Indianapolis Violence Interrupter Program and provided training to 25 organizations that were recipients of CICF funding.

The City of Indianapolis launched its Gun Violence Reduction Strategy in partnership with NICJR in January 2022. Mayor Joe Hogsett announced the new strategy during a press conference with NICJR. As a part of the strategy, the City utilized American Rescue Plan Act funds to hire 50 community-based Violence Interrupters, Outreach Workers, and Life Coaches (together referred to as Violence Intervention Workers).

NICJR now provides ongoing training and technical assistance to the Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety, which manages the 50 Violence Intervention Workers. NICJR has also worked with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to implement a weekly review of shootings in the city, to identify incidents that are likely to have retaliation and individuals in need of immediate intervention. NICJR has supported the City in creating a management process for those very high-risk individuals to be identified, referred to violence intervention services, and intensely engaged.

Moving forward, the City has allocated $15 million to CICF to award grants to local community-based organizations to provide support services to very high-risk individuals being served by Violence Intervention Workers.

The work of the City of Indianapolis and NICJR has already shown significant success. In a recent press conference, the Mayor and NICJR announced a sustained reduction of homicides and injury shootings in Indianapolis by nearly 20%, more than the city has ever experienced.

Work in Indianapolis

NICJR’s Work in Indianapolis

Publications

Indianapolis Gun Violence Reduction Strategy Year 1 Report

Indianapolis Violence Reduction

Indianapolis Cost of Gun Violence Study

News Coverage

Gun violence is declining in Indianapolis but we have more work to do

Gun violence is decreasing in Indianapolis. Yes, you read that correctly

Indianapolis Sees Drop in Violence, Leaders Credit Strategy Developed Last Year | Fox59 News

National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform Strategy Focuses on Those Most Likely to be Involved in Gun Violence as City Grapples with Public Safety Crisis | Fox59 News

Review of Indianapolis Gun Violence Problem Shows 75% of Those Involved in Homicides Known to Criminal Justice System | Fox59 News