City celebrates Indy peacemakers’ achievements

Indianapolis, Indiana – The city of Indianapolis claims that almost a year after it began, its peacemaker program is having a positive impact on lowering crime.

Tony Lopez, the Office of Public Health and Safety’s deputy director for violence prevention, said, “Just last year our goal was 10% reduction in homicides from the year before to last year, and we saw just over 15 percent reduction in homicides.”

The Peacemaker program was founded with 44 case workers and violence interrupters who respond to crime scenes to gather information about the persons who may be involved. It was funded by the American Rescue Act grant money.

When the initiative first began, Della Brown, an outreach worker, said, “Not only to engage in victims of gun violence but also to engage in potential perpetrators of gun violence.”

Brown has personal experience with the loss of a loved one due to gun violence.

“My brother was a victim of gun violence, as well as one of my best friends, they actually lived here in Indianapolis so I know the trauma people face I know the negative impact gun violence does have.”

Brown and other case workers work with at-risk people, typically between the ages of 18 and 35, to assist them to find jobs and other resources.

After the grant expires, the city plans to increase the number of Peacekeepers and make the program a permanent component of the budget.