2/27/2007
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-3690 |
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State of the City focuses on crime prevention, creating opportunity for Indy’s youth
Indianapolis – Mayor Bart Peterson used his eighth State of the City address to call on Indianapolis residents, businesses and non-profits to join him in a renewed effort to create opportunity and protect the city’s youth. The address was held at the Wheeler-Dowe Boys and Girls Club.
The Mayor committed to reserve up to $5 million every year for crime prevention programs as part of his Crime Fighting Package now being debated in the State Legislature. Should the legislature pass his multi-million dollar anti-crime plan, the city will make an unprecedented commitment of new city spending dedicated solely to crime prevention programs like those recommended in the recent Community Crime Prevention Task Force Report, including programs focused youth and mentoring.
“The Task Force recognized that we cannot win this war simply through enforcement,” Mayor Peterson said. “As important as that is, if we do not make a stronger commitment to fighting the causes of crime, we will continue to lose ground and the future of our city will be at risk.”
“That’s why I chose to come today to the Wheeler-Dowe Boys and Girls Club,” Peterson continued. “Programs like those provided by Boys and Girls Clubs help kids avoid the deadly pull of the street.”
The battle for the future of the city’s youth also centers on addressing the exceedingly high school drop out rate in Indianapolis, the Mayor said.
“It is no exaggeration to say we face a dropout crisis in Indianapolis. In this we are no different than almost any other big city,” he stated. “Where we may differ is that we will come together – in the Indianapolis way – and we will dramatically reduce the number of dropouts from our schools!”
Peterson said a new not-for-profit organization started by several community leaders offers hope in the battle to end the drop out crisis. Known as The Mind Trust, the organization’s mission is to bring cutting edge education ideas and talent to Indianapolis.
In December, The Mind Trust helped launch The New Teacher Project in IPS, which will bring in 150 highly talented new teachers to take difficult-to-fill positions in math, science, Spanish and special education. The Mind Trust is also working to bring the most successful programs aimed at serving students at risk of dropping out to high schools throughout Indianapolis. Another of its projects is focused on instilling a college-going culture in local schools and giving teachers and counselors the tools needed to dramatically increase college-going rates among low income students.
The Mayor said the continued growth and success of mayor-sponsored charter schools is another key to addressing the high drop out rate. Schools like HOPE Academy and Goodwill’s Charter schools focus on ensuring at-risk students complete high school.
The effort to create hope and opportunity for youth, Peterson said, must also focus on addressing long-standing concerns about the effect of “the pervasive culture of violence in video games and popular media.”
“In my year as President of the National League of Cities, I have chosen as my theme Media Violence and its Impact on Children,” Peterson announced. “On April 17th, I will be hosting, in conjunction with the National League of Cities, a national conference on media violence here in Indianapolis. All viewpoints will be represented, and I hope some new light will be shed on the question.”
Peterson called on all Indianapolis residents to take action when it comes to the future of the city’s youth.
“It is time for us, all the people of Indianapolis, to step up and help. Not only for a brighter future for our young people, but to help reduce the crime that directly or indirectly impacts all of our lives.”
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2007 State of the City Address
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