Public Safety

Marion County has experienced an unprecedented surge in violent crime including homicides and non-fatal shootings from 2020 to 2022 with the Black community experiencing a disproportionate level of violence. Martindale Bright would have countered this trend when examining its peak violent crime rates within the same 10-year time span. Between 2010 and 2021 violent crime in Martindale Brightwood increased from a rate of 26.5 per 1,000 in 2010 to 35 per 1,000 in 2021; however, there was a decline in overall violent crime from a peak of 41 per 1,000 in 2016. We note that between 2010 and 2021 robbery declined from a rate of 7.6 robberies per 1,000 people to 5.0 robberies per 1,000.  Larceny or theft of personal property that can be carried away declined from a rate of 41.1 incidents per 1,000 people to 32.2 incidents per 1,000 people, or a decline of 21.7%. The collaborative reviewed juvenile charges data but opted not to include as many of the charges are geocoded to the juvenile detention center located in the community. The data for Martindale Brightwood thus reflects an inordinately high rate of juvenile charges that are not happening in the community. 

Martindale Brightwood’s public safety approach is deeply rooted  in an asset based mentality that recognizes collective responsibility to ensure the neighborhood becomes the beloved safe and peaceful community its residents deserve. The approach is multifaceted, utilizing city public safety resources in exchange and in partnership with resident and stakeholder collaboration. While historically, the neighborhood has experienced crime rates disproportionate to the city average, various data sets suggest interesting trends that may in fact prove positive neighborhood movement in terms of overall safety and stability. 

Additionally, of paramount importance to the neighborhood is the eradication of a perception that becomes less accurate by the day. That is that Martindale Brightwood is simply a hotbed of criminal activity that endangers the lives and vitality of the entire neighborhood. On the contrary, despite continued pervasive activity, it can be asserted the neighborhood’s trajectory is trending positively as neighbors and stakeholders organize. While very real challenges persist, the emergence of organized resident and stakeholder collaboratives will continue to be cultivated throughout this plan’s implementation.  A particularly encouraging innovation for example,  stakeholders and neighborhood partners are lending greater attention to neighbors returning from incarceration. Considerable resources incorporated during the pandemic  have enabled stakeholders to create wrap around solutions that address skill deficits, housing and food insecurity and afford access to other critical supportive services embedded in this implementation plan. These efforts bear greater prospects that our returning citizens are not only stabilized, but are afforded opportunities to contribute to the overall safety and well being of the neighborhood. 

In recent years, Martindale - Brightwood has been considered a hotspot for crime. Community leaders see quality education and a bigger focus on self-sustainability as key areas for reducing crime in the neighborhood. The Martindale-Brightwood CDC (Community Development Corporations) was awarded an elevation grant from the city to address root causes of violent crime and to empower neighborhoods.

Strategy 1.1 
Control the narrative on public safety & crime in the community.

Strategy. 2.1 
Foster resident’s beliefs and abilities to address public safety collectively

Strategy 2.2 
Establish a Martindale Brightwood Collaborative of key advocates to lead action on crime and public safety issues

Strategy 2.3 
Create opportunities for community members of all ages to lead efforts related to crime and public safety.

Strategy 2.4
Through all the pillars of the Quality of Life Plan, address root causes for crime and violence

Strategy 3.1 
The Martindale Brightwood Collaborative establishes working partnerships with local law enforcement, city officials, and social services to address root causes of crime.