Councilman Zlany praises NDP's efforts as city tackles chronic homelessness and crime

The City Council of Indianapolis convened on August 27, 2025, for a meeting of the Public Safety & Criminal Justice Committee, focusing on various initiatives aimed at improving public safety and addressing homelessness in the city.

The meeting began with a discussion on the ongoing efforts to combat chronic homelessness. A representative noted that while the goal is to make a significant impact by the end of the year, the complete resolution of chronic homelessness is a longer-term process. The representative emphasized that the city would see measurable improvements, although full resolution would take more time.

Councillor Zlany expressed gratitude to the team from the Neighborhood Development Program (NDP) for their dedication and contributions to the city. He highlighted the importance of data collection in assessing the effectiveness of the city’s investments in public safety initiatives. Zlany acknowledged the substantial budget allocated to these programs and stressed the need to understand the correlation between funding and crime reduction outcomes.

A key point of discussion was an independent evaluation being conducted by the American Institute for Research, which aims to assess the effectiveness of the Neighborhood-Based Policing (NBP) strategy. This evaluation will provide insights into how well the program is performing in relation to crime reduction efforts.

Councillor Zlany also raised concerns about the operational aspects of local government, emphasizing that the focus should be on ensuring safety and efficient city services rather than political considerations. He reiterated the importance of operational efficiency in budget presentations and the need for accountability in grant programs.

The meeting further explored the collaboration between the city’s clinician-led community response teams and local hospitals. These teams respond to 911 calls in specific districts and are designed to handle situations without weapons or intent to harm. The discussion highlighted the operational differences between these teams and other behavioral health programs funded by the state.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the city’s commitment to addressing public safety and homelessness through data-driven strategies and collaborative efforts. The council plans to continue these discussions in future meetings, focusing on the effectiveness of current programs and potential improvements.