INDIANAPOLIS – In late 2017, the Indianapolis Violence Reduction Partnership (IVRP) identified an area on the Indianapolis Police Department (IMPD) Southeast (SE) District as having an unusual increase in violent crime. This included an increase in murders and non-fatal shootings. Based on this information, a joint operation between local and federal law enforcement was planned.
The purpose of Operation Select Area for Enforcement (Op SAFE), which occurred between Jan. 8 and Jan 11, was to target violent criminal activity and develop intelligence on violent gang activity, drug trafficking organizations, Hobbs Act robberies and other violent crime within Zone 20 of SE District. FBI Indianapolis’ Metropolitan Safe Streets Gang Task Force (IMSSGTF), Violent Crime Task Force (VCTF), Violent Crimes Against Children (VCAC) Task Force, IMPD Gang Unit, Indiana State Police (ISP), Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC), IMPD Southeast SE Narcotics, SE Flex Team, SE Patrol Officers, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), and Marion County Community Corrections (MCCC) participated in the operation.
Operation Highlights:
- January 8: IMPD SE Narcotics Detectives assisted Auto Theft Detectives in the 400 block of Villa Avenue Detectives obtained a search warrant and with the assistance of FBI agents and Task Force Officers (TFO), searched the residence. Six subjects were arrested and one stolen trailer was recovered. Additionally, four hand guns, five rifles, two shotguns, approximately five ounces of methamphetamine, one ounce of heroin, 11pills of a controlled substance, and cash totally $5,627 were seized.
- January 8: FBI TFOs and agents assisted the IMPD Gang Unit, IMPD SE District Patrol, and MCSO Gang Unit with two search warrants stemming from an ongoing narcotics investigation. Search warrants were executed in the 1500 block of Dawson Street resulting in the arrests of seven individuals. Additionally, a stolen Kubota tractor was recovered and an AR-15 semi-automatic long gun, two hand guns, a revolver, and cash totaling $823 were seized.
- January 9: FBI TFOs and agents assisted MCCC with home visits for offenders in non-compliance. At a home in the 1100 block of South Villa Avenue, the offender was observed in the back yard, which was a violation of his probation conditions. The subject disregarded commands from law enforcement and ran into the residence. Entry was subsequently obtained and the subject was arrested. Suspected narcotics, a hand gun, and $10,000 were seized.
- January 9: FBI TFOs and agents assisted IDOC agents with multiple parole sweeps resulting in the arrest of one person in the 1500 block of Nelson Street. and seizure of approximately one ounce of marijuana, three grams of methamphetamine, a hand gun, and $580.
- January 10: FBI TFOs and agents assisted MCCC with home visits for offenders in non-compliance. A search of an offender’s residence in the 2300 block of East Gimber Street resulted in the seizure of a hand gun.
- January 10: IMPD SE Narcotics, Flex Team Officers, FBI TFOs and agents conducted a knock and talk at a home in the 2800 block of South Villa Avenue Law enforcement officials were allowed entry and encountered two individuals with active warrants who were arrested. No illegal items were located in the residence.
- Throughout the operational period, the MCSO Reserve Division conducted traffic stops and other overt operations in order to be a proactive presence in the neighborhoods and interdict and stop criminal behavior.
- The MCSO Gang Intelligence Unit served 22 active arrest warrants which resulted in three arrests and the recovery of multiple guns.
Final Stats:
- 92 total outright and summons arrests, including one federal arrest
- 19 firearms seized, including one AR-15
- 170 grams of meth
- 28 grams of heroin
- 87 MCSO Sex Offender Registry checks
- 524 vehicle stops by the MCSO Reserve Division
- Hundreds of positive contacts
- Actionable intelligence
This is the first of many joint operations utilizing the IVRP and targeting the specific people, places, and activities responsible for violent crime in our city. Those illegally possessing a firearm or those using a firearm in the commission of their crime face the possibility of increased penalties, including federal prosecution.
Individuals involved in violent crime should seek services from the countless social services providers who can help them make a change in their life. Otherwise you will be subject to increased law enforcement attention.
State, local, and federal law enforcement, in partnership with both the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) and the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), are committed to stopping the violence in our city.
