Community Service Work (CSW) is one of the oldest programs the Department has in operation it is a sentencing option that is utilized frequently by the Courts in Marion County. Each year in excess of 3,000 probationers or a full 1/3 are ordered to complete CSW as a condition of their probation. This is a tremendous benefit to the community as many neighborhood organizations and local non-profit organizations are provided thousands of hours of unpaid labor. The Department is fortunate to offer a variety of opportunities including work with local, non-profit organizations as well as work crews.
In 2004, the Probation Work Crews adopted and maintained 9 medians, assisted 88 Saturday Neighborhood Projects and 98 Community Group Special Project Request as well as 10 Graffiti Removal Projects with the Marion County Prosecutors Office. The Work Crews assisted the U.S. Attorney's Office with there Project Safe Program and helped Keep Indianapolis Beautiful plant 15,000 Daffodils. The Probation Work Crews assisted several of the city's special events and festivals such as the 500 Festival activities, Race For The Cure, Wilbur Shaw Soap Box Derby, Haughville Round Ball, Center Township Family Fun Festival, Holliday Park Garden Days, DECO Down Home Tour and Tox A-Way Day through the Department of Public Works. Work Crews also assisted the Life Time Fitness Toys for Tots Reindeer Run. Our work crews have been especially helpful during times of crisis, having assisted with the Tornado Clean Up in June 2004.
In 2004, a total of 109,452 hours were completed through our program. At minimum wage ($5.15/ hour) that represents a total of $563,677.80 worth of service to the community. Due to the growth of this program at the close of 2004 we have three 15 passenger vans and three full-time Work crew Leaders, one located at each of our satellite offices located on the Northeast, Northwest and Southside of Indianapolis. All Community Service Work Crews operate six days a week Monday -Saturday. In 2005, efforts to expand our CSW Work Crew operations will continue as we hope to add additional Work Crews.
Communities interested in utilizing the assistance of our work crew should complete the Request Form located on this page. You will be contacted by Georgette Sims, CSW Program Coordinator, within one week to discuss further details. Projects are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have any further questions regarding CSW projects, please contact Georgette Sims at Gsims@indygov.org.