A mass overdose in downtown Indianapolis on Feb. 11 brought renewed attention to Lugar Plaza, a space police say has seen repeated narcotics activity in recent years. Since January, officers have logged 53 incident reports within a one-block radius.
“It’s frustrating that we go out there day after day and find the same problems,” IMPD Downtown District Commander Shane Foley said. In the five days after the overdose, officers responded nearly two dozen times to calls nearby.
Recent Incidents and Arrests Near Lugar Plaza
Police records show 15 narcotics investigations tied to the area so far this year, along with eight arrests on outstanding warrants. Officers also documented four assaults, three weapons-related cases, and one robbery investigation happening within that same stretch of blocks downtown.
On Feb. 13, officers took four more people into custody on narcotics charges and arrested two others on active warrants. Police said one suspect was allegedly using drugs while officers stood nearby, showing the repeated behavior they say they keep running into.
Just two days later, officers arrested two more individuals, including a 35-year-old man accused of being a serious violent felon carrying a handgun. A 45-year-old man was also taken in on claims of dealing a Schedule I substance and possessing methamphetamine.
Long-Term Trends and Repeat Offender Concerns
Police data shows the area has generated 1,984 incident reports since 2021. That includes 571 in 2021, 258 in 2022, 247 in 2023, 366 in 2024, and 489 in 2025. Those numbers, taken together, show a pattern that has stretched across several years.
Foley said many of the problems involve people officers already know by name. “The absolute disregard for the law is incredibly frustrating,” he said, adding that some individuals are arrested repeatedly for similar offenses. That cycle, he noted, keeps pulling officers back to the same blocks.
At the same time, Foley stressed that downtown accounts for about 5% of all crime citywide. He said the district remains the safest overall in Indianapolis, even as certain corners demand more attention than others throughout the year.
Public Space, Transit, and Enforcement Strategy
Lugar Plaza and the Julia Carson Transit Center serve as open gathering places where crowds come and go through the day. Foley noted that transit has something to do with that pattern. “Transit is a great way to get people around, but it also brings people to a certain location,” he explained.
Officers say the difficulty lies in keeping things orderly without limiting access. “We want people to gather in a public space, but we want them to do it in a responsible and lawful manner,” Foley said. When repeated complaints surface, officers shift focus and increase their presence.
To respond, Foley said officers use trailer mounted cameras, drones, undercover operations, and uniformed patrols. If certain corners keep seeing problems, those spots receive more attention. He emphasized the goal is consistent enforcement over time instead of short-lived crackdowns.
Endnote
Debate continues about how cities should act when public spaces turn into repeated crime hotspots. Some neighbors push for tougher enforcement, while others believe real progress needs deeper social support over time. Data from IMPD's Transparency Dashboard helps anchor the discussion in facts instead of assumptions.
City officials say real improvement will rely on teamwork between police, courts, and community groups. Foley has stated enforcement will stay consistent, yet he admitted lasting change rarely happens fast. For now, downtown continues to receive careful attention and ongoing monitoring from authorities.