Dear Indy,
Back in 2022, the Hogsett administration ran a pilot program to test the viability of gunshot detection systems like ShotSpotter.
That test ended more than a year ago, so why are the ShotSpotter sensors still located across the east side?
Good question.
A spokesperson for SoundThinking, the company behind ShotSpotter, declined to specifically answer our questions.
An IMPD spokesman, meanwhile, confirmed that police don’t have access to the sensors.
It appears no one in the city even knew where the sensors were located.
That is, until at least last week, when Wired Magazine reported on a trove of new ShotSpotter data, including locations.
Now we have a better idea of where the sensors are located on the east side. What we don’t know, though, is whether (or why?) they’re still recording.
Read more here.
Know someone who might like this newsletter?
Click here to forward this email to them.
In other news
- Wes Montgomery was a revolutionary jazz guitarist who grew up in Indianapolis. He will be honored with a new historical marker on March 6 — 101 years after his birth. Learn more here.
- The U.S. Department of Justice has reached an agreement to clean up a former chemical plant in West Indianapolis. The public can share their thoughts on the consent decree through March 13. Here’s how.
- Indy Documenters attended the City-County Council’s Education Committee meeting and learned about the Circle City Readers program. The program is tutoring 354 kindergarten to third grade students across nine schools.
What’s going on around the city
- Thursday, Feb. 29: Creatives of all types and experience levels can network at Artist Industry Night, a free, open house-style event from 6-8 p.m. at Storefront Theatre, 2416 E. 55th St. Mirror Indy editors Amanda Kingsbury and Jennifer Delgadillo will talk about how you can pitch your story to the media.
- Thursday, Feb. 29: Mirror Indy Community Journalism Director Ariana Beedie will moderate a discussion, “40 Acres and a Broken Promise” with IU Professor Valerie Grim and Sylvester Friend, co-owner of Prairie Hills Farm, to discuss the importance of farming in Indiana and in African American history. The panel starts at 6 p.m. at Living Room Theater, 745 E. 9th St. Tickets start at $50.
- Friday, March 1: Local musician and actor Matt McDonald brings “Irving’s Crossroads,” to the Stage Door, 5635 Bonna Ave. in Irvington. Starting at 7:30 p.m., listen to live music and see a short play written by Emily Worrell. Free.
— The Mirror Indy arts and culture team
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
Support Journalism
Be part of a local initiative to increase coverage of the
diverse needs of people living in our community.
What else we’re reading today
- Fox59: Indiana University students involved with Students Demand Action are advocating that public officials treat gun violence as a public health issue. Some are headed to the Statehouse today to talk with lawmakers.
- Indiana Capital Chronicle: A proposed bill would have made it harder to protect Indiana waters from toxic PFAS chemicals that are used in manufacturing, but the bill appears to have died this legislative session.
- Chalkbeat Indiana: Teachers of English language learners are raising concerns about Senate Bill 1, which would require schools to hold back more third graders who fail the state’s reading exam. The bill contains some exemptions for English language learners, but some are pointing out potential pitfalls — including the prospect of federal lawsuit.
Resources
Last week we introduced you to Jessica Davis, a Garfield Park mom who is working to inspire a love of reading in her three young children by building a home library.
If you haven’t read the article yet, I recommend you check it out. After reading it, I wondered: What steps could parents take to begin curating their own home libraries for their children?
This week, Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich followed up with some helpful advice.
It’s all contained in our latest resource guide.
Read more here.
We have more resources on our website. Find them here.
Reflections
Yesterday it was sunny and beautiful. It’s too bad that Indiana policymakers aren’t too keen on turning that into rooftop solar power.
A new report ranked Indiana dead last in the country for implementing solar energy, noting that our state offers little incentive for homeowners, according to IndyStar. That’s primarily because Indiana lawmakers ditched net metering a few years ago.
By the way, we also have some of the worst air quality and are one of the most polluted states.
So enjoy that sunshine later this week, if you can see it through the soot.
Ryan
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at ryan.martin@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
