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Summit To Look At Local Crime From A Federal Prespective

Last updated on Thursday, September 4, 2014

(INDIANAPOLIS) - A triple shooting Tuesday night on the east side of Indianapolis underscores the concern about violence in central Indiana.

WTHR reports that a woman and two men were shot around 2 a.m. in a neighborhood near 21st and Mitthoeffer.

All are expected to survive.

But acting U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler said gun violence and drugs are the city's biggest problems when it comes to crime.

"Those are acute problems a lot of areas have faced," he said.

Representatives from cities across the country will be in Indianapolis this week to talk prevention, prosecution and re-entry after prison.

A U.S. Attorney Advisory Committee -- made up of U.S. attorneys from cities across the country -- will meet with local law enforcement to talk about what works and where the problem areas are when it comes to crime.

"Hopefully, what we'll get is ideas, best practices, things to try here to reduce violence and make things safer for everyone," Minkler said.

The two-day violence summit -- as it was described through a release from U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett -- gets underway Thursday in private sessions between federal authorities and local law enforcement. A media briefing is expected at the end of the week.

Hogsett, a Democrat, is expected to announce plans to run for Indianapolis mayor. He opened campaign headquarters.

Meanwhile, incumbent Mayor Greg Ballard announced his own crime plan for the city of Indianapolis, which includes adding more police, a push for earlier education, and a stiffer curfew for teens.

While city agencies will be a part of the summit, it's more about looking at crime from a federal perspective.

"The difference is when you have people coming from all over the country, it's always a good idea," Minkler said. "These are not going to be my ideas but from people who've done this before and been successful."

Representatives from Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, New Jersey and St Louis are among those expected to be in attendance this week.

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