The City of Indianapolis is providing $750,000 to Downtown Indy, Inc, (DII) for safety and security enhancements to the Mile Square area of Downtown.

Based on priorities identified by the Downtown Recovery Committee, the funding will be allocated for the following:

  • Increased foot/bike patrols of off-duty IMPD officers in the Downtown area, tripling the coverage already provided by Downtown Indy, Inc.
  • Launching Downtown Indy, Inc.’s Safety Ambassador program, which will employ civilians and IMPD cadets who will assist Downtown patrons and business owners while serving as extra eyes and ears throughout the Mile Square. The Safety Ambassadors will provide daytime and evening coverage with direct communication to IMPD.
  • Creating a network of 150+ street-level cameras, in partnership with Mile Square businesses, which will be part of IMPD’s existing B.Link program.
  • Addition of mobile cameras positioned in crime hot spots that will be monitored by IMPD.
  • Increased partnership between IMPD’s Downtown District, IMPD’s Narcotics Unit and IMPD’s Homeless Unit to identify areas with increased activity and deploy resources more strategically.

The $750,000 allocation in Downtown TIF-backed funding was approved by the Metropolitan Development Commission last week and will be administered by the Capital Improvement Board to Downtown Indy, Inc.

This dedicated funding is the first announced component of a comprehensive plan being developed by DII’s Downtown Recovery Committee, in collaboration with the City of Indianapolis and other Downtown stakeholders and business and civic leaders to 1) address the immediate challenges facing the Downtown core and 2) create a vibrant, welcoming hub to work, live, learn and play.

You can hear the Mayor and Downtown Indy in the Leon-Tailored Audio above.  It runs about 26 minutes.