INDIANAPOLIS -- When stay-at-home orders went into effect in Indianapolis in hopes of minimizing the spread of COVID-19, a new picture emerged around certain crimes in the city.
The Center for Health and Justice Research (CHJR) analyzed a study by Dr. Jeremy Carter with the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI and Dr. George Mohler with the School of Science. Data showed domestic violence calls and vandalism reports increased, while traffic stops decreased.
The original research examined police calls that came into the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department after schools began closing and when the state's first stay-at-home order went into effect March 23. Those periods were then compared with calls that came in from Jan. 1 through March 16.
Among the findings:
- Domestic violence calls increased significantly after school and restaurant closures, then dropped slightly after the state's stay-at-home order took effect.
- Vandalism calls were up significantly following the closures of schools and nonessential businesses and the stay-at-home order.
- Traffic stops dropped significantly after schools and nonessential businesses were closed.
- Burglary calls remained about the same after the closures of schools and nonessential businesses but dropped slightly after the stay-at-home order went into effect.
- Robbery, assault/battery and vehicle theft calls remained the same.
