Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 January 2003 — Page 2

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY. JANUARY 10, 2003

Black homicides drop by 3 to 76 in 2002 Bdyh WOlll NM for QOYCrnOf

By AMOS BROWN III Recorder Correspondent The number of African-Ameri-can homicides in Indianapolis/ Marion County declined slightly in 2002. Seventy-six Blacks were homicide victims last year, a drop of three homicides from 2001; the fourth lowest number of Afri-can-American homicides since 1991, according to an analysis of homicide statistics by The Indianapolis Recorder. Overall, there were 118 homicides in the city/county last year, adeclineofjust one homicide from 2001. African Americans accounted for 64.4 percent of the overall homicides in the city/ county; whites comprised 23.3 percent, Hispanics 7-6 percent. However within the city/county’s two main law enforcement jurisdictions, there were wide discrepancies. Fifty-nine African Americans were homicide victims in IPD's areas last year; a decline of 12 homicides, or 1? percent from 2001. Overall, homicides in I PD fell 10 percent from 91 in 2001 to 82 in 2002. Blacks accounted for 72 percent of IPD’s homicides, whites 20.7 percent, H ispanics 7-3 percent. The year 2002 saw the lowest number of overall homicides

within 1PD in four years. But this good news was offset by an increase in homicides in neighborhoods patrolled by the Marion County Sheriffs Department. Thirty-six persons were killed there last year, an increaseofeight or 28.(i percent. I-ast year marked the fourth straight year homicides increased in the sheriff’s patrol areas. The number of Black homicides in the sheriffs areas climbed

from eight to 12 in 2002, an increase of 50 percent. Blacks accounted for a third of the murders in the sheriffs areas. More than three-quarters (77.6 percent) of the city/ county’s Black homicides were in neighborhoods patrolled by the I ndianapolis Police Department, even though those neighborhoods contain slightly less than two-thirds of the city/ county’s Black population.

VUR 60 6b IQ Vj 80 86 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1996 1999 2996 2691 2092 African-American Homicides in Indianapolis/Marion County Chart Compilation ©2003 The Indianapolis Recorder

FREETOWN ► Continued from Page 1 stresses the importance of the Freeman vs. Robinson case. “This was the first case that a Black man was able to win. Black people were not allowed to testify in court, it was very difficult for us to use the judicial system when the laws were against us. (Freeman) actually did it and won...that’s kind of an encouragement for people today,” said Wellington. The Indiana Supreme Court has partnered with Freetown Village for “A Matter of Justice,” helping to provide documentation as well as feature material and the traveling exhibit that will accompany the show as it tours Indiana, Janu-

ary through June. “This production gives a big message to the community: justice prevails,” said David Remondint of the Indiana Supreme Court. “The Supreme Court looked past color and presided in Freeman’s favor. Across class, status and race, the court has touched many lives in a positive way.” Gwen Crenshaw who researched the John Freeman case feels that even today, it will have a significant impact on Blacks. “I think some African Americans will see it as something that they may have experienced, as fitf a$ the wrong arrests and the trickery involved.” Wellington hopes that

the play will serve as encouragement for African Americans in today’s society. “History teaches us a lot of lessons. If we can learn from the examples John Freeman displayed in 1855, that if he was able to do (what he did) in spite of all the things that he had against him, then certainly we can do that and more today.” “A Matter of Justice” will be presented at noon on Jan. 16 at the Artsgarden downtown. It can also be seen at 7 p.m., Jan. 23 in the Supreme Court room, third floor in the Indiana Statehouse. For more information, call (317) 631-1870.

Believing the Dream Achieving the Dream, Living the Dream/' 33 rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sponsored by the IUPUI Black Student Union

We invite you to join us as we honor Dr. King and acknowledge those outstanding individuals who have exemplified King’s dream. Our program will feature Roslyn M. Rrock, vice chair of the NAACP National Hoard of Directors. As a young active leader in the NAACP, Ms. Brock will remind us of the important historical significance of the civil rights movement, and more importantly encourage and inspire us to he actively involved in the future of civil rights for all.

Monday, January 20, 2003 6 p.m. Indiana Roof Ballroom 140 W. Washington Street

Ticket price: $35 for General Public Ticket Deadline is January 13,200.3

For questions about the dinner or the Black Student Union, call 274-3931.

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

. U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh has decided against mounting a Democratic campaign to return as Indiana’s governor, an office he held for two four-year terms starting in 1989Bayh said he decided over the holidays not to make a third run for the office. He said he had

concluded that he could not run for governor and still devote his full attention to the Senate seat he has held since winning election in November 1998. Bayh, 46, cited challenges the nation faces from the economic a downturn and the possibility of war in Iraq. “To both serve in the Senate

FRANK

► Continued from Page 1 victory was “not just because of his color, but because he was the best man for the job.” Carson also saluted former Republican Sheriff Joe McAtee for his strong support of Anderson during the campaign. McAtee rose and acknowledged the applause from spectators. In his remarks, Andy Jacobs, the former congressman and Marion County deputy sheriff quoted Presidents John Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln. Jacobs remarked that the sheriff’s office “is not a political or partisan office.” Jacobs spoke for many when he told Anderson, “the only duty you have to your party is to make us proud.” Carson and Jacobs both alluded to the hard fought campaign, which was among the most negative in recent history. But one in which Anderson received one of the largest landslide victories in Indianapolis/Marion County history. Judge Barker brought down the house when she offered this advice to the new sheriff, “Frank, don’t park on the Circle,” referring to last month’s controversy when outgoing Sheriff Jack Cottey threw a temper tantrum after his car was towed for illegally parking on Monument Circle. Judge Barker also spoke of the continuing controversy between her court and the sheriff s department over overcrowding in the Marion County Jail. But the warm ! relationship Anderson and the judge had while he was marshal could pave the way for Anderson to try and craft a solution to this continuingcommunity dilemma. Bringing professionalism and dedication back to the Marion County Sheriff s Department was the thrust of Sheriff Anderson’s inauguration remarks. Saying that he is “a law enforcement peace officer” not a politician, Sheriff Anderson told his deputies and the community that his department “must bring

TROOPER ► Continued from Page 1 ers, Paul H. Sears, William R. Sears, Gerald A. Sears, and a host of nieces and nephews. Younger brother William said he admired Jim for always being a big brother even as the two became older and he will miss his advice. “Jim and I were newspaper carriers as kids in the neighborhood that surrounded the Planner House,” said William.

BRIEFS

► Continued from Page 1 activities and in training new advisors to support innovate and creative grassroots projects to "stop the violence." The FCCLA "Stop the Violence" program is designed to help young people recognize, report, and reduce the potential for youth violence. FCCLA was formerly known as Future Homemakers of America. Butler to host literature conference On Jan. 25, Butler University will host the 13th Annual Children's Literature Conference. Events will take place throughout the campus from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The conference will feature award-winning authors and illustrators such as Laurence Yep, Newberry Honor Medalist, Elaine Marie Alphin, Bruce Degen, Vallska Gregory and others in a variety of workshops^and sessions. RegisjffcTion is $85 and includes a cdntinental breakfast, luncheon and autograph

and simultaneously be a candidate for governor would not be responsible,” he said. Bayh is up for re-election in 2004, and term limits prevent Democratic Gov. Frank O’Bannon from running for a third consecutive term next year. O’Bannon succeeded Bayh as governor.

order, we maintain the peace. We must do that in a professional manner.” “Our power is truly awesome”, said the new sheriff, “and it should never be misused.” Anderson said he wanted the department to be a “team effort,” a department “committed to accountability, efficiency, professionalism and excellence.” And he told his deputies and staffers that he expected them to “treat others the way that you’d like to be treated.” Anderson said that during the campaign he was criticized for promoting committees. Anderson answered the criticism saying, “Yes, I am a committee man.” He then introduced and swore into office “a committee of sorts” his new executive staff. Sheriff Anderson’s command team is a bipartisan, inclusive of African Americans and women. The nine member command team includes two women and two African Americans, Eva Talley-Sanders, deputy chief of the executive division, and Herman Humbles, deputy chief of investigations. Colonels John Layton and Refry Forrestal are the department’s two top officials under Sheriff Anderson, both longtime department veterans. In his first days in office, Sheriff Anderson moved to deal with a number of pressing problems. He reshuffled the department’s command structure, makingsure that a senior commander, usually a lieutenant or captain, would be on duty at all times. Speaking with The Indianapolis Recorder, Sheriff Anderson said that making changes at the Marion County Jail would be a top priority. “It will not be business as usual there,” he said. During the transition to his administration. he had toured the jail and met with staff and inmates. Anderson told The Recorder that reducing the large number of homicides in the sheriff s jurisdiction (36 last year) would be a major priority. To help fight crime, he’s assigning a lieutenant to deal with problems in “Beat 17,” the patrol area on the far Eastside along 38th, Post and

“After I retired from UPS Jim told me that I had a purpose in life and he wanted me to come back in the community and help out Planner House. I spent three years as the executive director. J im’s advice is the reason I feel he remained the big brother even in the end.” A memorial service will be Jan. 10 at Stuart’s Mortuary beginning with visitation with family members and a historic display at 10 a.m. The service will begin at 11a.m. A Planner House tribute will

reception. To kick off the conference, the IndianapolisMarion County Public Library will host a pre-confergnce gala on Jan. 24 at the Glendale Public Library. The gala, featuring Scholastic's “Magic School Bus," is free and open to the general public and will include a 7 p.m. presentation by Yep as well as refreshments, book sales by Kids Ink children's bookstore and autographing by featured authors and illustrators. For more information or to register for the conference, contact Norm Minnick at (317) 940-9861 or nminnick(S>butler.edu. Registrations must be received by Jan. 23. MLK celebration at National Museum of American History The annual Martin Luther King Day program, "Of Songs, Peace and Struggle," is set for Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The program features a lecture and discussion, a song

Mitthoeffer. Anderson told The Recorder this lieutenant would be headquartered at the offices of the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE) and would be working closely with residents. The election of the popular Anderson was a major victory for the Marion County Democratic Party. A large number of Democratic elected officials, including city-county councilors, state legislators, township officials and judges attended Anderson’s inaugural. The only Republican elected official seen there was new Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi. Brizzi had been sworn in during a public ceremony at Broadway United Methodist Church on New Year’s Eve, where he reiterated the themes of his campaign; halting the spread of the new dangerous drug methamphetamine and working closely with neighborhoods in fighting crime. Brizzi repeated his campaign’s mantra that “criminals have a choice, victims don’t” pledging that he would be that advocate for victims. Brizzi swore in his leadership team, which includes AfricanAmerican Ralph Staples as chief trial deputy, Chief of Staff John Commons, Lisa Judd who’ll head a new department of family and neighborhood protection, and Larry Broder who’ll handle drug prosecutions. Democrats also celebrated their victories in Pike, Washington and Center townships with an inauguration ceremony New Year’s Day at the Julia Carson Government Center. History was made there as Pike Township Trustee Lula Patton, Pike Township Assessor Barbara Hurstand Washington Township Small Claims Judge Kimberly Brown took their oaths of office. Trustee Patton is the first African American elected township trustee outside of Center Township. Assessor Hurst becomes the first African American elected assessor anywhere in Marion County and Judge Brown becomes the first African-Ameri-can Small Claims Judge in Indianapolis history.

be given by Executive Director Diamond, as well as reflections from Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson, Congresswoman Julia Carson, and Judge Reuben B. Hill of Marion Superior Court. Indiana State Police Superintendent Melvin Carraway will provide a full color guard at the service and Sheriff Anderson will lead a police escort. A memorial fund will be set up in honor of Sears and his remains will be in the Crown Hill Cemetery Hall of Heroes.

performance, and guided tours of objects and exhibitions related to the history of Afri-can-American social change in America. Civil rights pioneer Rev. James Lawson Jr. will be the keynote speaker. Student Fellowship for Blacks launches Web site Student Fellowship for Blacks will launch its Web site this month, www.studentfellowshpforblacks.org. It will have information on their calendar of events, applications for grants an various types of donations that could provide you a substantial tax deduction - used vehicles, real estate, annual giving, marital trust, credit shelter trust or a gift made to Student Fellowship for Blacks through a donor's will. The Student Fellowship for Blacks awarded $11,000 in 2002 and has given $123,000 since 1978.