The Justice Department on Friday expanded its Operation Legend initiative, which assists local police in combating violent crime, to Indianapolis.
The program first launched in Kansas City, Missouri, in early July and since expanded to Chicago, Memphis, St. Louis, Milwaukee and other cities. Indianapolis is the ninth city to be included in the initiative.
“The most basic responsibility of government is to protect the safety of our citizens,” Attorney General William P. Barr said in a statement. “Today, we have extended Operation Legend to Indianapolis, a city experiencing an increase in violent crime that no resident of that city should have to accept as part of everyday life.”
Indianapolis has recorded a 51% increase in homicides and a 34% rise in non-fatal shootings, the Justice Department said.
Operation Legend will be a 45-day commitment of 57 federal agents and investigations to support local police authorities.
Cities that are part of Operation Legend will receive increased resources from the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to reduce violent crime, with a focus on gun violence.
The initiative also makes available $250,000 for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and an additional $25,000 is available for reward money related to unsolved homicides.
The program is named after LeGend Taliferro, a 4-year-old boy who was fatally shot earlier this summer in Kansas City. On Thursday, the Kansas City Police Department announced an arrest in the case.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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