New downtown cameras part of bigger public safety picture
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A collaboration between the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Downtown Indy Alliance has added two new surveillance cameras in key hot spots.
Why it matters: The cameras are part of ongoing efforts to increase local police presence through tech and send the message that downtown is a safe place to live, work and play.
Driving the news: The cameras were installed this week at Washington Street's intersections with Alabama and Pennsylvania streets, funded by the Downtown Indy Alliance, the downtown advocacy nonprofit formerly known as Downtown Indy Inc.
- IMPD Commander Shane Foley told Axios the locations were chosen because of their high number of police runs, noting the department previously had temporary trailer cameras operating at both intersections.
- The upgrade allows the department to relocate those temporary cameras to other high-activity locations in time for thousands of hoops fans to flood Mile Square for events like the women's Big Ten Tournament and the Men's Final Four.
- Foley said the department now has more than 200 different camera views in the area.
The big picture: Technology is one way the department is modernizing to increase its impact amid ongoing staffing shortages and keep annual crime numbers trending down.
- "Public Safety cameras are just one component of the technology that we use," Foley said. "License plate readers, drones — which have been really a game changer for us at IMPD with the Real Time Crime Center … and all these come together to help amplify the work that our officers are doing on the street."
By the numbers: Violent crime in Indianapolis dropped in 2025 in all major categories, according to new Major Cities Chiefs Association data reviewed by Axios.
- Homicides decreased by 19%, robberies by 18%, aggravated assaults by 17% and rapes by 7%.
Zoom out: Nationally, cities report that homicides overall fell 19%, robberies dropped about 20%, aggravated assaults were down nearly 10% and rapes declined by about 9%.
Yes, but: Despite the crime declines, the number of people who say they feel safe downtown isn't climbing as quickly.
- Downtown Indy Alliance's latest perception survey, polling nearly 2,200 residents, found that 57% of respondents said they felt downtown was safe in 2025, a slight increase from the 56% who said the same in the 2024 report.
- In separate research that shaped the IMPD's new five-year strategic plan, 70% of respondents said they felt either "generally safe" or "very safe." About 16% felt either "very unsafe" or "generally unsafe," and 15% felt "neither safe nor unsafe."
State of play: Downtown Indy Alliance CEO Taylor Schaffer said she often hears from residents that the presence of law enforcement "does wonders" for that feeling of safety while exploring the city during big events.
- But just as important is letting people know that downtown Indy is a cared-for space, even during down times when bad actors may believe that no one is watching.
What they're saying: Schaffer acknowledged that the quadrant is often considered an entryway into downtown, which means "that area is people's first impression as they're heading to a Fever game, as they're heading to a Pacers game, as they're enjoying Bicentennial Unity Plaza or just going back to their office."
- "We really want to ensure that they know that the safety and vibrancy and energy of downtown is our number one priority."