Ryan Vaughn: City has made progress in fight against crime 7.5.11

INDIANAPOLIS STAR

We learned from Melina Kennedy's last campaign that public safety policy wasn't her greatest strength. We are learning in her mayoral campaign, statistics aren't either. In Kennedy's campaign announcement, she said "murders are up in our city," but the truth is they are down, dramatically. In 2006, under the prior administration, the city had its highest number of homicides in a year -- 163. Under Mayor Greg Ballard's leadership, last year we had the lowest number of homicides in 15 years -- 93.
Kennedy continues to make blanket statements that "crime is up" but that also is untrue. FBI crime statistics prove the opposite. Total crime has gone down every year of Ballard's administration and it has gone down significantly since 2006. Violent crimes are no exception to that trend and those numbers also have gone down under Ballard's leadership.
I have prosecuted criminals at every level. I also have been a victim of crime. I understand that crime is very personal and the feelings of insecurity that come with being a victim. The need for residents to feel safe in their community is the very reason public safety has and will continue to be the number one priority of Ballard's administration.
Misrepresenting the progress we have made in reducing crime in an effort for political gain not only does an injustice to legitimate public debate, but it also jeopardizes proven public safety policies that are making our city safer. Attempting to play on public fears is not evidence of leadership. Taking control of the police department and actually reducing crime, that is leadership.
Kennedy had many opportunities to stand up for public safety and she chose not to. When the previous mayor gave up control and responsibility of the city's police department, Kennedy did not speak out.
When the previous mayor had to get a waiver from the U.S. Justice Department to drop below the city's promised number of police officers for a sustained period of time, Deputy Mayor Melina Kennedy did not oppose that request.
The previous administration dropped the number of police officers to roughly 1,100. There are now more than 1,600 police officers, and Ballard has authorized the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to hold another recruit class later this year, further increasing the number of police officers patrolling city streets.
There is always more work to do, but let's not ignore the importance of the reforms underway, increased collaboration, and the value of new training and technology being implemented. We are making real progress. Our police officers have teamed up in several successful efforts to remove criminals from our streets, including the recent dismantling of a dangerous Eastside gang known as the "Pop It Off Boys."
As a 23-year Marine, Mayor Ballard understands the importance of inter-agency coordination and a unified command structure. That, enhanced by community involvement, allows us to better target and position resources in crime hot spots. The drop in total crime and violent crime shows our efforts are working, but we must continue the fight.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20110706/OPINION13/107060354/Ryan-Vaughn-City-has-made-progress-fight-against-crime?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7COpinion%7Cp