Launched in 2015, the Graffiti Abatement Unit (GAU) is an innovative, public-private partnership between the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, Indy Public Safety Foundation, EmployIndy, MIBOR REALTOR® Association and RecycleForce. Since its inception, the GAU has removed over 100,000 square feet of graffiti – all of which at no cost to home or business owners.

The GAU Crew is led by a light duty IMPD police officer, who provides project direction, support and mentorship. The GAU crew is staffed by RecycleForce, a social enterprise delivering comprehensive and innovative recycling services in support of workforce training, development and job placement for formerly incarcerated men and women transitioning back to society. Through a rotation with the GAU crew, participants learn valuable skills in inventory management, maintenance, painting and more.

Under the leadership of Chief Ernest Malone, IFD set out to create a custom-tailored training program that educated firefighters and civilian employees on the importance of celebrating differences in individuals, whether race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or other. IPSF helped fund the development of the training curriculum, as well as the training of the current IFD firefighters and employees. Following the initial agency-wide training, IFD integrated the training into their fire training academy and budget.

During large scale emergency incidents that span a long period of time - such as the March 2019 grain silo rescue - first responders have vital needs such as food, water and relief from hot or cold temperatures. To ensure first responders are able to focus their highly-qualified skills on rescue and recovery, IPSF established the “Emergency Incident Needs Fund.” With one call, IPSF can activate this fund to provide food, water or other needs.

The IMPD Explorer program was established in 1970 to give youth an opportunity to explore careers in law enforcement.

In 2019, IMPD and IPSF re-branded the IMPD Explorer program - changing the name to the IMPD Junior Cadet program and integrating it into the overall IMPD Cadet program. This established a cohesive pipeline for youth - especially from under-represented communities - who want to serve the City of Indianapolis as police officers. Junior Cadets learn vital life skills such as confidence, communication, de-escalation, service and more. They are also trained in law enforcement activities such as crowd control, traffic management and crisis management.

To learn more about the IMPD Junior Cadet program, please contact Officer Christine Mannina at [email protected].

The original community policing model, the Indy Police Athletic League (PAL) was established in 1940. The original mission of Indy PAL utilized police officers as coaches and mentors for youth sports. “Activities” was added within the past decade to ensure the program utilized athletic and non-athletic programs to build meaningful relationships between officers and under-appreciated youth.

In January 2019, at the request of IMPD, IPSF assumed administrative oversight and financial control of the Indy PAL program. Since that time, IMPD and IPSF have made significant investments in the program and facility. Indy PAL provides the majority of its programming at JTV Hill Center, an Indy Parks facility.

For more information about the Indy PAL program, contact Indy PAL Director Lea Gurnell at [email protected].

Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) continues to claim millions of lives worldwide. Almost a quarter of all OHCA present with potentially “shockable” rhythms. While resuscitation science has continued to improve the prehospital treatment of cardiac arrest, the vast majority of cardiac arrests occur at home or in the general public.

Without bystander CPR and AED use, the chances of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) drops dramatically. This is accentuated in lower socioeconomic areas putting these areas at high risk. The IndyCARES AED program was established through a grant from Health and Human Services (HHS) Public Access to Defibrillators program. To date, 48 public access defibrillators have been placed and over 2,700 individuals have been trained on hands only CPR and AED use.

While the majority of the project’s funding was through HHS, IPSF provided supplemental funding to complete the placement of community-based AEDs as well as the necessary batteries and supplies to keep them operational.

The Indianapolis EMS Communications Van is used as a forward operations post on several public events throughout the year and is utilized by several agencies in addition to IEMS. The van is equipped with a camera and telescoping mast system that is no longer functional and cannot be repaired. IPSF funded the purchase and installation of a new mast and a camera system that will allow a video feed that is remotely accessible to decision makers from other concerned agencies on large scale events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Pride Festival, Brickyard 400, and so on.

There is no shortage of additional examples of the improved utility this camera system will provide to multiple agencies in Indianapolis and surrounding communities. Improved situational awareness allows for better decision making and this system will fill a void that we currently have in our capabilities.