IMPD hopes Community Day will bring positive relationships despite recent crime

INDIANAPOLIS – A recent string of violence has city leaders looking to build relationships, conversation and community.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s East District had already scheduled its community day at Brookside Park before the violent July 4th weekend.

Over hot dogs on the grill, officers were able to catch up with residents in the area they serve on Wednesday afternoon.

“The unfortunate reality is that a lot of the time our officers are called to a situation, it’s not because of good reasons,” said East District Commander Mike Leepper.

Many folks are still on edge after the mass shooting that took place following the Fourth of July celebrations. One couple typically watches the fireworks downtown, but had a gut feeling to skip it this year.

“I can’t believe that happened, because we could have been there,” said Lisette Bustos.

Now, days like this are a way IMPD can deter kids from following the wrong crowd. Youth groups and church camps brought dozens of kids to the park on Indy’s near east side to check out their booths and patrol units.

“The violent crime that we deal with generally is the adult population,” said Leepper. “But we definitely don’t want our kids going down that path and that’s why I think it’s important that our officers have positive engagements like they do today.”

Parents are also able to ask questions about what is being done across the city to prevent future juvenile crimes.

“I just wish the parents were a bit more accountable,” said Pablo Casas-Ortega. “I know they had talked about a curfew for those ages, for those younger kids.”

They want community members to feel comfortable talking with officers on non-outreach days as well, but they also have to lay down the law. IMPD Chief Chris Bailey has a stern message for those engaging in criminal activity.

“You’re better off not breaking the law right now because I have directed my officers to have strict accountability for the rules, especially when it involves weapons, violent crime against another human being,” Bailey said. “We’re going to do our part to track you down and hold you accountable.”

Despite the weekend violence, IMPD’s East District said overall their crime numbers are trending downwards.