Indianapolis Public Safety Committee Meeting: January 15, 2026
Indianapolis Public Safety Committee Meeting: January 15, 2026
The Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee of the City-County Council met on Wednesday, January 15, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building. Chair Leoyer Robinson presided. The committee reviewed several proposals, including a grant for a documentary series on the Marion County Coroner's Office, a lease renewal for IMPD, and public purpose grants from the Drug-Free Community Fund. Two appointments were postponed, and a parental leave ordinance for firefighters was deferred.
Consent Calendar
- Proposal 375-2025 (appointing Evan Sharon to the Juvenile Detention Center Advisory Board) was moved to the February 2026 meeting, as Mr. Sharon was absent.
- Proposal 9-2026 (reappointing Robert Hammerley to the Marion County Public Defenders Board) was moved to the February 2026 meeting, as Mr. Hamlin could not be contacted.
- Proposal 16-2026 (amending the city code to add a Parental Leave section for firefighters) was deferred to the February 2026 meeting on a motion by Councilor Brown to allow more time for discussion between the firefighters, administration, and council.
Discussion Items
-
Proposal 10-2026: Health First Indiana Initiative Grant Project – Marion County Coroner Alfarena Corner presented an opportunity for her office to participate in a documentary series called Cause of Death, which has aired for three seasons in the UK and is number one there. The series will focus on medical-legal death investigation, from initial notification to determination of cause and manner of death. The production company will pay the Coroner's office $60,000 in three deposits to offset staff time, administrative coordination, and operational impacts. An additional $5,000 comes from a Health First grant from the Marion County Public Health Department for gun safety and public health education. Filming begins in mid-February 2026 and will last four to five months, with the first series expected to air in the UK in July or August 2026. The Coroner emphasized that cases selected will be non-homicide and that families must consent. Several council members expressed strong support, praising the office's transparency, professionalism, and community service, including an annual unclaimed ceremony.
-
Proposal 12-2026: IMPD Lease at 414 North Keystone Avenue – Deputy Chief Webbington requested authorization to renew a lease for approximately 27,000 square feet of office space at the former Mainscape building (4150 North Keystone Avenue). The city-county has occupied the building since the early 2000s. In 2021, IMPD entered a three-year lease, and in 2024 they consolidated two other satellite facilities into this location, expanding their footprint by about 800 square feet. The new lease is for five years with a five-year option. The Deputy Chief noted substantial savings from consolidating three facilities into one (approximately $2,500/month in network site fees alone) and that the lease is below market rates due to building vacancy. The office houses sex crimes, child abuse, and domestic violence units, providing easier access for victims compared to the City-County Building. The city intends to eventually consolidate more facilities.
-
Proposal 11-2026: Public Purpose Grants from the Drug-Free Community Fund – Executive Director Michael Angel McClinton presented grants totaling $200,000 from the Drug-Free Marion County Fund (including $150,000 from the Local Coordinating Council and $50,000 from the Opioid Abatement Fund). Funds were distributed across four categories:
- Prevention & Education: Ambassadors of Hope ($16,661), Decatur Township Drug Free Coalition ($16,678 plus $572 admin), John Bonner Community Center ($16,089).
- Treatment & Intervention: Marion County Prosecutor's Office ($33,393), Pathways Recovery Intensive Residential Support ($16,661).
- Law Enforcement & Justice: Marion County Sheriff's Office ($25,000 for gun lock distribution), Pathway to Recovery Supportive Housing ($25,000).
- Administration: Drug Free Marion County ($50,000). The grants support teen peer support, harm reduction, youth programs, drug treatment court, recovery housing, gun lock distribution, and coalition management. Councilors praised the investments, particularly the Decatur Township Drug Free Coalition's mobile education trailer.
Key Outcomes
- Proposal 10-2026 (Coroner's documentary grant) passed unanimously.
- Proposal 12-2026 (IMPD lease renewal) passed unanimously.
- Proposal 11-2026 (Drug-Free Community Fund grants) passed unanimously.
- Proposals 375-2025, 9-2026, and 16-2026 were moved to the February 2026 meeting without opposition.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. It's uh 5 30 p.m. on Wednesday, January the 14th, 2026. We're in the public assembly room of the city county building. Welcome to the public safety and criminal justice committee of the city county council. Total introductions uh of our far left, uh counselor Michael Hart. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Michael Paul Hart, representing District 20. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Josh Bain, District 21. Thank you, Counselors. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Brian Mowra, District 25. Good evening, Chairman Robinson. Crystal Ewells, District 11, West Side. Thank you, Counselors. Counselor Perkins. Thank you, Mr. Chair, Dr. Carlos Perkins, District 6. Thank you, Mr. Chair Brienne Delini, District 2. Thank you, Mr. Chair Renee Allen, District 15. Thank you, Mr. Chair, Frank Biscarry, District 19, Southeast Side. Thank you, Counselors. I am Leoyer Robinson representing District 1, Chair of the Committee. The first agenda is proposal 375 2025 appoints Evan Sharon to the juvenile detention center advisory board. Mr. Sharon do communicate with us. He is uh out this evening as well. So he'll be here in February. So with consent, I'd like to move 375 to the next meeting in February. So move. Thank you so much. Uh also proposal number nine, 2026 reappoints Robert Hammerley to the Marion County Public Defenders Board. Uh is Mr. Hamlin present today. So we weren't able to get in touch with him for this evening. So we will move this to February as well with the other appointment with consent. We'll move proposal number nine, 2026 as well. Thank you. So those first two are moved to our February committee meeting. Thank you so much. Proposal number 10, 2026. And the Health First India Initiative Grant Project. Ms.
openpublica.com