INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is taking part in this year’s National Faith and Blue Weekend.

The weekend partners the police department with local faith-based organizations to build bridges and break down bias amid violence in the city.

16-year-old Reese Hamilton lives in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood and described the violence around him in two words.

“Tremendously horrific,” Hamilton said. “Those are the two words I can think of. There is no fun here. Sometimes you might have to get on the ground, get up under the bed because you can hear the bullets so close.”

It’s kids like him who are looking forward the weekend’s kick off Youth Town Hall at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on Friday.

It’s an event where kids can come to the church’s sanctuary to talk directly with police about the violence they face on Indy’s streets.

“Far too often, a lot of adults in this world, we do a lot of talking and not enough listening,” IMPD Major Corey Mims said. “We are excited to sit down with the youth today and just hear from them.”

The town hall comes after IMPD investigated 25 homicides where a person under 17 died in 2023.

It’s something Friendship Missionary Baptist Church pastor Ronald Covington says could be changed with better listening.

“I’ve buried too many young people,” Covington said. “It’s a combination of listening and learning that builds trust between the youth and that’s what it’s all about.”

The partnership continues on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. with a car seat safety clinic and resource fair for families.

The clinic will be held at the Firefly Children and Family Alliance and the fair will be at Resurrection Community Church.

On Sunday IMPD’s command staff will visit a church in each of their six districts to build those bridges.

Here’s the full list of churches and pastors they will visit with times:

• Villa Baptist Church – 2650 Villa Ave | Lead Pastor RT Stringer | 11:00 AM  
• Nu Corinthians – 5935 W 56th St | Pastor Terry Webster Sr | 10:00 AM  
• Allen Chapel – 637 E 11th St | Pastor Charles Fontaine Macon | 10:30 AM  
• Resurrection Community Church – 2502 E 38th St | Pastor Orlando Jordan | 10:30 AM  
• Tuxedo Baptist Church – 29 N Grant Ave | Pastor Eddie Smith Sr | 10:45 AM  
• Friendship Missionary Baptist Church – 1301 N Goodlet Ave | Pastor Ronald Covington | 11:00 AM  

“Our faith-based community are key pillars in our neighborhoods and partnering with them helps us build trust within the community.” Mims said. “I believe that sitting down with our youth will help us better understand where they’re coming from.”

Covington is hopeful the weekend will help in clearing up any misconceptions his young congregation has when it comes to the police’s role in the community.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH)– From classic shoes to the future of sneakers, nearly 60 shoe designs showcasing historical sneakers you may remember to 3D printed shoes are on display at Newfields.  

From the ‘85 Jordans, to the Nike Mags from Back to the Future and everything in between. There’s plenty for sneakerheads to check out at Newfields. 

The exhibit is a partnership with the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto and the American Federation of Arts. 

“Fashion is one of those things that connects us all together.” Said Belinda Tate, Director of Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. 

Tate says she wants everyone to feel apart of the exhibit. Future Now offers plenty of interactive ways to be involved. 

“We wanted to make this exhibition accessible by allowing people to document their own shoe stories. We asked our community members to share stories about special memories that they had and relate those to a pair of shoes.” Said Tate  

With a variety of different brands and creators, there truly are shoes from past to the future. 

“There’s also many wonderful works of art in here that explore digital reality, AI technology and all kind of virtual reality in a variety of things.” Said Tate 

The exhibit is officially open and will be at Newfields through January 19th. For tickets and more information click here. 

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, began Wednesday night and marked the beginning of the High Holy Days that will conclude next week with Yom Kippur.

Officer Drew Brown of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said Wednesday that officers will have extra patrols around synagogues and Jewish community centers. “Members of the IMPD have met with leaders of the congregations just to ensure them that they have our full support, and that we are going to be out present whether that’s bike patrols, increased foot patrols.”

In a post on the X platform at noon Wednesday, IMPD said, “Starting this evening, you may notice an increased police presence near local synagogues and temples as the Jewish High Holy Days begin. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all in our community.”

IMPD on Wednesday had no known threats to the Jewish community.

Jews worldwide have been under attack. Iran launched missile attacks against Israel on Tuesday, and Monday will mark one year since the Hamas terrorist group attacked Israel and killed over 1,100 people.

The IMPD officer said, “If you see anything suspicious, if anything raises the hair on the back of your neck or causes concern, please reach out to us and report that suspicious activity.”

On Monday, the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council, alongside many community partners, will gather for a time of remembrance for the victims of the Hamas attacks. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Monday at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. Indiana Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb will be the keynote speaker.

Statement

“The greater Indianapolis Jewish community spaces and places will have additional security over the next few days. This is no different from the increased security measures our community has needed over the past year. In the face of all the challenges confronting our Jewish world, we thank our local law enforcement for assisting us so we can feel secure this high holiday season.”

Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis

Previous coverage on WISHTV.com