INDIANAPOLIS (MIRROR INDY) — A crime prevention initiative that claims to be assisting Indianapolis in reducing violence might face a significant reduction in its city funding next year, as Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration deals with the effects of property tax cuts implemented by the Republican state legislature.
The reductions are expected to result in a loss of $10.5 million in income for Indianapolis, prompting Hogsett to request that most city and county departments tocut their 2026 budgetsby 4 percent. However, a representative from the mayor’s office stated that departments had the flexibility to decide where these reductions would take place.
The Bureau of Public Health and Security, for instance, has suggested reallocating $1 million fromThe Elevation Grant Programa community-driven effort focused on tackling the underlying reasons for criminal activity. It assists local groups striving to enhance residential areas, prevent crises, and aid individuals vulnerable to gun-related violence.
Additionally, the office has also suggested reducing $100,000 from the Immigrant Legal Services Fund. The city has collaborated withThe Indianapolis Foundation, which executes both programs.
The Elevation initiative saw an increase in financial support from 2022 to 2024 following Hogsett’s commitment.about $45 millionFederal pandemic relief funds were allocated to it. For the past ten years, OPHS has also included approximately $3 million for the program in its annual budgets. The Hogsett administration provided an additional $2 million in aspring fiscal package.
Previous recipients includethe Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, Edna Martin Christian Center, the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County, and Horizon House.
We were instructed to set aside part of our budget to manage the state-level reductions and the property tax cuts outlined in Senate Bill 1,” said OPHS director Andrew Merkley during an August 13 press conference. “We have allocated one million dollars from the Elevation Grants for the upcoming year.
In an email dated August 14, Brian Heinemann, a spokesperson for OPHS, stated that the $1 million loss “will not affect the grantees yet to be chosen.” He mentioned that OPHS will continue to offer $2 million in funding for Elevation Grants in the 2026 budget, with part of the 2025 program’s funds carrying over.
A representative from the Indianapolis Foundation recognized the modifications in the city’s financial plan and stated that the nonprofit organization will inform the public about any further developments.
“The Elevation Grant Program will keep operating smoothly, allowing the vital efforts in our community to proceed uninterrupted,” stated spokesperson Shari Finnell Anderson in an email dated August 18.
‘Saving lives’
The funding initiative is a central element of Hogsett’sstrategy to reduce crime.
The Association of Major City Chiefs, a professional group that advocates for law enforcement officers and sheriffs nationwide, gathered self-reported information indicating an increase in homicides in Indianapolis.dropped by about 30% this year.
Nevertheless, crime in Indianapolis remains a subject of criticism. Last month, the head of Indy’s police union urged Republican Gov. Mike Braun to get involved following ashooting downtownmurdered two teenagers and harmed five more.
“It is clear that Indianapolis leaders are trapped in the corner they built through incorrect policies and objectives,” Rick Snyder, president of the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police,mentioned in a statement on July 14It’s time for the Indiana legislature and governor to take action.
That same week, Braun said to reporters, “something needs to be different” in the state capital.
Hogsett, a member of the Democratic party, responded in opposition.
“While we are disappointed by the events that have occurred over the past few weekends, the evidence is clear: violence has been decreasing for the past three years,” thethe mayor stated in a statement on July 16thto IndyStar. “Our approach to reducing gun violence is preserving lives.”
The police and fire departments, along with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, have not faced reductions in their funding.
$100k reduction in funding for immigrant legal assistance
The Immigrant Legal Services Fundis another initiative experiencing reductions in the suggested budget.
In 2021, the City-County Council created the fund to assist organizations that help individuals with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals renewals, naturalization processes, and work authorization submissions. Furthermore, the funds may also be utilized to represent someone during bond hearings, asylum cases, and deportation trials.
The Immigrant Legal Services Fund holds approximately $1 million, as stated on the foundation’s website, including contributions from the city andThe Clowes Fund. Nonprofit organizations that have legal professionals employed are awarded grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000.
As the Trump administration increases deportations and the Marion County Jail remains active in its operationshouse ICE detainees, proponents argue that securing an immigration lawyer is more crucial than ever.
It remains uncertain how the $100,000 reduction outlined in the OPHS budget will impact these services. A representative from The Indianapolis Foundation, which manages the funding, refused to comment on the matter and advised Mirror Indy to contact the city for more information.
A representative for Hogsett mentioned that decisions regarding budget reductions, such as this one, are not “clearly communicated” to the mayor and advised Mirror Indy to contact OPHS.
A representative from OPHS, Heinemann, did not directly address inquiries regarding the reasons behind the agency’s decision to reduce funding for this specific program in its budget.
“When this fund was established, it was always the plan for other community partners and charitable sources to contribute along with the city’s support,” Heinemann stated in an email dated August 20.
The Presentation of the Office of Public Health and Safety’s budgetThe meeting of the City-County Council’s public safety committee is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, at the City-County Building.
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Local reporter Mary Claire Molloy from Mirror Indy focuses on health news. Contact her at 317-721-7648 or via email.maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X@mcmolloy7.
