4 Fast Facts
- Homicides among Indiana children and teens nearly doubled from 2012-2015.
- Homicide is leading cause of death for black males ages 15-24.
- Last significant crime increase among youth was in 1990s.
- Mayor’s office to focus on poverty and food insecurity.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Feb. 15, 2016)– According to a recently released report, Indiana has seen a huge jump in the number of homicides among young people. Many of those deaths happened in Marion County.
According to studies gathered by the Indiana Youth Institute, homicides among children and teens (ages 0-19 ) increased from 35 homicides in 2012 to 65 homicides in 2013.
Homicides also account for 61 percent of deaths for black teenagers and young adults.
“Violence does touch every group, but it touches the African American community disproportionately,” said Julie Whitman with IYI. “It’s the leading cause of death for black males ages 15-24.”
The last time IYI saw a significant rise in crime and violence among youth was in the early 1990s.
Deputy Mayor David Hampton said Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration is focused on fixing two main factors that can lead to violence, food insecurity and poverty. The Mayor’s office has also initiated a summer jobs program for this year and is trying to increase youth programs and activities.
“My heart and I know the Mayor’s heart pours out when we hear those types of statistics,” said Hampton. “The community is gonna need to understand that we’re at a state of emergency. Until we feel the sense of urgency we’re going to continue to be complacent or even desensitized to the fact that our young people are dying right before our very eyes.”
To read the full report, click here.
