12/12/2006
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, 327.3690 |
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City launches community outreach effort aimed at informing public about police merger
Indianapolis – Mayor Bart Peterson today joined Sheriff Frank Anderson, Indianapolis Police Chief Michael Spears and the new command staff of the new Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) to launch an extensive public outreach effort aimed at informing residents about the changes and enhancements coming when the new IMPD begins patrols in three weeks.
“This is an exciting and historic time for our city,” Mayor Peterson said. “Every major decision to shape this new department has been made, and we expect a smooth transition. One of the main focuses now is making sure the public knows what to expect come January 1 and providing them with the resources they need to get answers to any questions they might have.”
The community outreach campaign includes the launch of a new website designed specifically to inform residents about their new 21st Century Police Department and what to expect come January 1.
The website, policemerger.indygov.org, includes a “video magazine” – a series of six, 2–3 minute segments -- featuring the leaders of the new IMPD outlining the key changes and enhancements to community policing. Residents without Internet access can utilize the new merger information hotline, 327-MERGE, to get responses to any unanswered questions.
“Law enforcement from both of these world-class agencies has worked hard to build a 21st Century police department that will be the finest in the nation,” Sheriff Anderson said. “Now, we can get down to business, go out to the neighborhoods and continue building those relationships with the people we serve. That’s the most important part of community policing – and that’s what this new department will be all about.”
Spreading the word via the Internet. More than 2,000 neighborhood leaders and residents will receive an e-mail today with a link to the first video episode of the six-part video magazine entitled “Building a 21st Century Police Department.”
Residents can easily sign up at policemerger.indygov.org to receive the videos, which will be released about once a week. They also will have the capability to forward on the video links on to friends and neighbors. For those who just wish to view the video updates, they will be easily accessible on the homepage of policemerger.indygov.org.
Neighborhood policing topics covered in the six-part series include:
Background and events leading to the merger;
Enhancements in community policing;
Identifying officers (with the new cars and uniforms);
New beats and districts; and
Role of new community relations officers
327-MERGE. The merger phone hotline will be staffed during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday). Residents can call to get answers to any questions related to the merger or request to receive a merger neighborhood information packet by mail.
Public outreach meetings. Residents will have the opportunity to meet their new IMPD command staff by attending public meetings held in each of the six districts. Some meeting locations are still be determined. The meeting schedule is available at policemerger.indygov.org.
The latest schedule appears below:
Metro Northwest
Date: 12/20/06
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Location: TBD
Metro North
Date: 1/3/07
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: 3120 E. 30th St. (at the new headquarters)
Metro Northeast
Date: 1/27/07 f
Time: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: 3229 N. Shadeland Ave.
Metro Southeast
Date: 12/19/06
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
Location: Raymond Park Middle School, 8575 E. Raymond St.
Metro Southwest
Date: 1/3/07
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Location: George T. Goodwin Community Center, 3935 Mooresville Rd.
Metro Downtown
Dates and times TBD
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