Indy mayoral candidates take the stage for the second debate of the week

Indianapolis mayoral candidates met Thursday night for their second debate of the week. Hosted by FOX59, CBS4 and the IBJ, some of the questions for Democratic candidate incumbent Mayor Joe Hogsett and Republican candidate Jefferson Shreve were sourced from viewers.

Crime and related issues took up the first half of the evening, and the candidates were asked about a spate of recent police shootings. Hogsett said the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has implemented steps towards increased transparency. 

“As a result I think have made the process of investigation of police action shootings, or any use of force, more transparent and more accountable than has ever been the case in the history of the city of Indianapolis,” Hogsett said.

Shreve responded that the city was behind other metros in technology, including in its use of dash cameras.

“We are behind the times in the utilization of those very tools that will be helpful in incidents such as this tragic one that we have,” Shreve said, referencing an IMPD officer’s fatal shooting of a man Thursday evening.

The number of police officers was debated. The city has experienced difficulties recruiting officers, even as the budget to hire more has increased. Shreve said people don’t want to work for Indianapolis. Hogsett said he believes increased pay for officers would help.

There was also talk of a recent call to overhaul Marion County’s judicial system. Hogsett said many of the issues aren’t controlled by his office. 

“Really doesn't involve the mayor's control, but really is prosecutorial and judicial in nature,” Hogsett said.

Shreve said that was a cop-out.

Hogsett was again asked where he was during the social justice protests in the summer of 2020, a topic that was raised during this week’s first televised debate. He reiterated he was working overtime from home and from his downtown office meeting with local officials.  Hogsett said he regretted not walking the streets with FOX59 reporter Russ McQuaid. Shreve said he would have been on the scene.

They were both questioned again about how to bring business back to downtown. Plans for the historic City Market were discussed. Hogsett said in the long run, a temporary closure that impacts the tenants will be worth any short-term problems.

“What we will end up with is a transformative project that doesn't just talk about the City Market, but the entire City Market block,” Hogsett said.

Shreve argued that the closure was another instance of bad communication.

“We don't get in front of that, we don't have conversations with those that will be affected by these changes that the city may in its wisdom choose to undertake,” Shreve said.

The debate also touched on ways to increase affordable housing, and ongoing issues at Indianapolis Animal Care Services.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov 7.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org.