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As we move into 2026, I want to speak directly to our community about public safety downtown.
Perception matters. It shapes how people feel, where they go and how they talk about our city. And because downtown is the heart of Indianapolis, the engine of our state, incidents that occur there draw more attention and more scrutiny than anywhere else.
That makes it essential that you hear directly from me about what is actually happening—not rumors, not online clips, not narratives built around isolated moments. The reality on the ground tells a very different story.
Violent crime was down nearly 8% in 2025 from the previous year. Property crime dropped almost 10%. Overall crime was down nearly 10%. And despite millions of visitors, downtown still accounts for less than 6% of all crime in Indianapolis. These are meaningful, measurable reductions, and they reflect the work of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and our partners.
This progress did not happen by accident. It is the result of deliberate strategy; steady, focused work; consistent execution; and the commitment of the men and women of IMPD, both our sworn officers and our professional staff. Our crime analysts and the team inside the Real-Time Crime Center identify patterns, monitor activity and direct resources where they are needed most. Their work gives our officers key information that helps prevent crime, not just respond to it.
We have been intentional with how we deploy our officers downtown. That means more visibility in high-traffic areas, quicker responses and proactive engagement with residents, business owners, hospitality workers and event organizers. It means working closely with the Office of Public Health and Safety, Indy Peace Fellowship and neighborhood groups to address issues early. It means leveraging technology, cameras and real-time data to support smarter, faster decision-making.
And these strategies are working. I see it every day when I walk downtown. I speak with people who live here, work here and visit regularly. They tell me they see the presence. They feel the difference. They recognize the progress. The energy downtown is strong, but just as important, people must feel safe being a part of it.
Our city’s growth is hard to miss. The cranes and new projects are exciting signs of progress that truly matter. But none of it works without safety. The foundation for every bit of downtown’s momentum is the quiet, consistent work of public safety professionals who ensure people can enjoy everything our city center offers.
We want families to feel comfortable coming downtown for dinner, young professionals to feel confident choosing downtown living and visitors to feel welcome at our events, festivals and restaurants. The safest perception is one built on truth, and the truth is clear: Downtown Indianapolis is safe and is getting safer.
That doesn’t mean our work is finished. We have more to do. When people have concerns, we will continue listening. We will continue adjusting. And we will continue doing what has produced these results.
As chief of police, I make your safety my No. 1 priority. I will always make sure our conversations are grounded in facts and in the experiences of those who live, work and visit downtown. Our officers, our professional staff and our community partners have helped build a safer downtown, and together we will keep that progress going.•
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Bailey is chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. This week, Mayor Joe Hogsett named him his chief deputy mayor and chief of staff.
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