We believe everyone in crisis should get the care they deserve rather than ending up in jail. While most states have moved away from incarceration first, Indiana’s jail population has doubled — with 40% of the people behind bars suffering from a diagnosed mental illness.

In 2023, the BCC led the charge to pass legislation to overhaul Indiana’s crisis response system so everyone has a number to call, people to come, and a place to go in a moment of crisis. Already, millions have been allocated to local communities to build out the crisis care continuum. Our success builds on local wins in Indianapolis, South Bend, Gary, and other parts of the state.

After years of advocating for an evidence-based strategy for reducing crime, the Black Church Coalition of Faith in Indiana successfully advocated for the city of Indianapolis to fully implement the Group Violence Reduction Strategy, to the tune of $145 million a year.

Gun Violence dropped a whopping 30% in the first 18 months of implementation. The one-time American Rescue plan funds are now a permanent part of the city budget that supports those most likely to be shot or be shot to a viable pathway to leave street life.

In the wake of the 2020 reckoning for racial justice, and a string of police murders, Faith in Indiana BCC leaders passed the strongest oversight body of law enforcement in the nation. Leveraging the power of the new general orders board, the community advanced a host of measures aimed at keeping us safe — progressive discipline, data transparency, and use-of-force controls.

These measures, and our organizing, led to officers being charged with homicide for the first time in the history of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. We are working toward safe communities where law enforcement is accountable to the communities it serves.