"Abandoned" And Other Words From the Speak Up Phone's Listening Tour

The WFYI Speak Up phone is going on a listening tour across Indianapolis as part of our Intersections project reporting on root causes of violent crime in Indy's most-distressed neighborhoods.

We're gathering thoughts and stories from residents, asking them to pick up the phone and share one word that best describes how they see their community, to get a sense of daily realities in neighborhoods city officials have identified as having disproportionate levels of crime and economic hardship.

Listen to WFYI's Chris Ayers and Ryan Delaney go through some of the first responses, collected on the Near Eastside. To hear more of the responses, visit the Intersections project page.

A thank you to the Indianapolis Public Library and community centers in each of the six focus areas for giving the Speak Up phone a home during its tour.