INDIANAPOLIS – Law enforcement across central Indiana teamed up with communities all across the state Tuesday night to help create neighborhood unity and prevent violence.
It is all part of National Night Out, or “America’s Night Out Against Crime.” The annual event is held nationwide and aims to build community partnerships and relationships with police, as well as promote crime, drug and violence prevention.
Several people gathered outside Crown Hill Cemetery Tuesday night connecting with officers from IMPD’s North District. That gathering was just one of nearly 200 different National Night Out events involving IMPD and several community groups across the Circle City.
National night-out festivities have been a summer staple for the Crown Hill neighborhood for more than 20 years. Games, music and grillouts are all part of that tradition.
“It’s a wonderful time to come out and celebrate each other,” said Danita Hoskin, the President of the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association.
Hoskin said the yearly event is a good way to bring police and their communities together.
“National Night Out not only gives us a chance to get to know our police officers who are in our neighborhood, but it gives them a chance to know who they’re protecting and serving,” she said.
Police Chief Chris Bailey even got caught up in some of the festivities. Overall, he said it is a chance to mix a little fun with crime reduction efforts.
“We’re really in the third year of some reductions of all categories of crime but we still have a lot of ways to go,” Bailey said. “One person shot; one homicide is just too many.“
While Bailey said IMPD and the city as a whole has made progress, he said events like National Night Out help build upon and sustain those community relationships and partnerships.
“It’s when everyone works together, government, community working together when we see the progress that we want,” Bailey said. “And that’s why we’re here tonight. It’s to show we’re unified in our fight against crime.”
Neighborhoods and local groups held similar gatherings all across the city Tuesday night, including one at MLK Park, which has been home to a number of shootings and incidents in the past.
“If you think about it, this time last year, we were dealing with a lot of shootings in our park,” Kennedy King Neighborhood Association President Lamar Holliday said. “And a lot of neighbors were up in arms and a lot of them were scared. But building that relationship with IMPD has been so helpful.”
Holliday said those relationships have already had a significant impact on his community.
“This year, we have not seen any shootings in our parks,” he said. “Our officers are more engaged, they’re talking with our neighbors and so again, it’s a testament to that partnership.”
