Twelve people were arrested and drugs, guns, and cash seized at multiple locations on the city’s east side Thursday, March 15 during the culmination of Operation SAFE (Select Area For Enforcement) Op SAFE is a proactive, targeted enforcement operation with the goal of reducing violence and narcotics trafficking in Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) East District.
During an approximately month-long period from February to March, IMPD and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, in partnership with Marion County Sheriff’s Department (MCSO), Marion County Community Correction (MCCC), and Indiana State Police (ISP) conducted the operation.
“Today, thanks to the collaborative efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners we can proudly say that bad actors have been removed from the Indianapolis community,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.
“With each success, our city is safer, stronger, and more secure—but now is not the time to rest on our laurels.”
“We remain focused on improving the safety of our neighborhoods and strengthening our collaborative efforts to make each day in our city better than the last.”
IMPD emphasized that the partnership with the FBI signifies a unified voice and commitment to reducing crime in Indianapolis, and is intended to send a strong and clear message that illegal activity and violence won’t be tolerated.
“The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department fundamentally believes our citizens have a right to live free from fear and free from crime,” said IMPD Deputy Chief Chad Knecht.
“We will continue to aggressively protect our citizens and strengthen our federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships.”
During Op SAFE, FBI Safe Streets, and IMPD participated in home visits with MCCC, and conducted controlled purchases of narcotics—all with the goal of targeting narcotics trafficking, illegal weapons trafficking, and violent actions of drug traffickers in the East District.
“We are going to utilize federal resources in partnership with IMPD to target those who are using firearms in the furtherance of drug crimes,” said Grant Mendenhall, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division.
“This is a problem the FBI and our partners are addressing day in and day out, night after night.”
“The Bureau has an important role in this fight and we are committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with our partners to address the issue.”
Operation SAFE Highlights:
- Search Warrants: 10
- Arrests: 12
- Drugs: 70g Marijuana / 4g Cocaine
- Guns: 3
- Cash: $10,000
