MAYOR PLEDGES TO FIGHT CRIME

Mayor Bart Peterson's eighth State of the City address reflected the
city's tight finances by featuring a pledge to spend $5 million a
year the city doesn't have.\

Peterson, speaking at a Boys & Girls Club on the Near Eastside on
Tuesday, focused on several issues in his address: crime, making the
city more environmentally friendly and moving forward with light-rail
public transportation.

Less than a week after announcing his bid for a third term, Peterson
pledged to spend up to $5 million a year on crime prevention programs
aimed at the city's youths -- provided that state lawmakers pass
legislation that allows local governments to impose new taxes.

"We cannot win this war simply through enforcement," Peterson said.
"As important as that is, if we do not make a stronger commitment to
fighting the causes of crime, we will continue to lose ground, and
the future of our city will be at risk."

The Democratic mayor also said this "unprecedented commitment of new
money" would not raise property taxes. But the promise rang hollow
among Republican critics who noted that the city would not have the
money unless new ways of raising revenue are approved by the General
Assembly. And the odds of that appeared to dim somewhat Tuesday after
negotiations broke off in the House on a property tax reform bill.

Tom John, the county GOP chairman, said a recent rash of crimes,
including an abduction and rape that began in a parking garage half a
block from the City-County Building on Monday afternoon, highlights
the need for immediate solutions.

"Instead of immediate and productive crime initiatives," John said,
"Peterson's crime package merely begs for new sources of revenue and
touts legislative proposals with an uncertain future."

Peterson and other local government officials across the state are
hoping the legislature passes property tax relief legislation this
session that would allow them to raise sales, income and other taxes.

Earlier this year, Peterson unveiled an $85 million plan that would
help pay for new crime-fighting initiatives and fund police and fire
pensions. After a crime surge last summer, the city spent money it
did not have in its budget to unclog a logjam of court cases and stop
the early release of inmates from the city's crowded jail.

Of that money, Peterson had said $15 million would go toward new
prevention programs, public safety and criminal justice system needs.
On Tuesday, he committed a third of that money to the type of youth
crime prevention programs recommended by a recent task force report.

Leaders of the task force and in the business community said they
were encouraged by Peterson's commitment to prevention rather than
simply responding to crime.

Roland Dorson, executive director of the pro-business Greater
Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, called the mayor's goals progressive.

"It's not just about triage," Dorson said. "It's also looking forward
to creating a place we all want to live."

Others, including the Rev. Charles Harrison, pastor of Barnes United
Methodist Church, said they want to see greater details. Harrison is
part of a group of clergy members that called on Peterson to lead
efforts to raise $25 million for faith-based initiatives aimed at
crime prevention. "We applaud the mayor for making this a priority,
but we want to know exactly where the money will go," he said.

A spokesman for the mayor said the administration hasn't made those
decisions yet and is focused on getting the funding first.

In other parts of his speech, the mayor focused on continuing efforts
to stem a crisis in school dropout rates, boost economic development
and strengthen neighborhoods. Peterson won some of the loudest cheers
for references to the Colts and efforts to bring the 2011 Super Bowl
to Indianapolis.

[Sidebar]

On Crime What he said: Peterson pledged to commit $5 million a year
toward programs aimed at preventing youth crime. Why it matters:
Indianapolis saw a near-record 153 homicides in 2006 and, as a
consequence, was forced to spend tens of additional millions to
unclog the courts and put an end to the early release of inmates at
the Marion County Jail.

On transportation What he said: The time has come for a decision on
whether to move forward to modernize the city's public transportation
system. Why it matters: Neglecting the issue, Peterson said, will
lead toward more congested highways and roads.

On the environment What he said: Peterson said he planned to
announce various steps the city will take in coming months to create
a more "sustainable" city. Why it matters: Advocates say such
efforts can lower energy demands, improve air quality, protect the
environment and minimize waste.On crime

What they said A few of the comments in reaction to Mayor Peterson's
speech Tuesday:

"They're talking more about crime but I want to see them doing
something more about it. We'll see what happens this summer. . . .
Government programs are Band-Aids. I don't care how many programs you
have if kids aren't taught respect." -- Jowanna Peterson, financial consultant.

"I'm optimistic because we're finally going to put some money into
prevention instead of just the aftermath. There are a lot of
tremendous programs out there but not a single clearinghouse to
direct people to the right one." -- Bob Palmer, vice president of Fed
Ex Air-Ground and Freight Services and a member of the mayor's crime
prevention task force.

"With 2007 being on pace to be the deadliest year in Indianapolis
history, Mayor Peterson is passing the buck on keeping our streets
safe. Instead of immediate and productive crime initiatives, (his) .
. . crime package merely begs for new sources of revenue and touts
legislative proposals with an uncertain future." -- Tom John, Marion
County Republican chairman.

"You have to have jail bed and crime cameras and new courts, but you
also have to have prevention and mentoring. We also need intervention
right now for ex-offenders coming out of prison." -- William
Shrewsberry, business owner, former deputy mayor and co-chair of
crime prevention task force.

"Naturally, we're thrilled to hear it will become a priority to make
Indianapolis a sustainable city. . . . We have to build from the
grassroots up. At least 50 percent of the solution is what we
citizens do." -- John Gibson, president of Earth Charter Indiana, a
nonprofit promoting a sustainable future.