Unfortunately young black men below the age of 25 are the most likely to be murdered in our otherwise very beautiful city. People within this demographic are 4 times more likely to be taken by homicide. It's tragic and a lot of people in my city are coming up with creative ways to curb this problem. It's devastating for people like me because having grown up here, I watched this city change. While it is not yet a shell of what it used to be, I clearly cannot leave my home at night without fear. Heck, we can't even park in the garage at our cancer center or university during the day without grave concern. The IUPUI parking garages are a major hotspot from robberies involving stabbings and some shootings, and it is more than frequent. It's a travesty. No one is really safe, and many of us are very unaware to put it kindly. We are home to some amazing hospitals including the world class Fairbanks Burn Unit, but what does that after when accessing these places puts one in a significant amount of fear and legitimate danger? It's heartbreaking to say the least. Most of the kidnappings and crimes against children are the acts of direct family members. Poverty and the opioid crisis are two major issues we face in this city. I could go on forever, but I'd rather be Googling baby Amiah.
