Could Crime Cool Indy’s Hot Streak?
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowDespite some significant economic wins over the last several months, Indianapolis has also been making headlines for an entirely different reason. Mayor Greg Ballard says, in addition to the very real human cost, a recent crime wave has the potential to affect the city's economy. He says the business community can help by providing job opportunities for at-risk youth and offenders re-entering the labor force as well as supporting mentorship programs. Ballard discussed addressing crime as well as the city's positive economic momentum on this weekend's edition of Inside INdiana Business Television. Ballard says Indianapolis cannot “out police” the increase in violent crimes, but admits he wants to add a few more officers.
He says 1,000 young men are lost in the system every year, which leaves the men without skill sets. Without a job, the men often turn to crime.
Ballard wants to try a holistic approach to address what he calls social ills – something he says will work in the long term over the next 20 to 25 years.
The mayor says the corporate community can help fight the problem by doing one of the following four things:
-Offering summer jobs
-Creating a job reentry program for released/reformed offenders
-Mentoring young people who are in need of positive male role models
-Donating money to the Public Safety Foundation
Source: Inside INdiana Business