WFYI News has been reporting on the root causes of violent crime in Indianapolis' most distressed neighborhoods. Get caught up on the series.

A report presented this month to the State Budget Committee says starting Indiana troopers are paid about $41,000 a year, which is at least $12,000 less than new officers in Indianapolis, Michigan and at Illinois police agencies.

As new Indy Mayor Joe Hogsett held his first "public safety" summit Saturday, Richard Propes was rolling with his own message for Hogsett at Monument Circle - 122 trips around the circle, once for every child killed during the eight years under Hogsett's predecessor, Greg Ballard.

Federal prosecutors said the arrests Wednesday dismantled a gang operating on the city's east side known as the Block Burners that had been under investigation since late last year

Deputy Director Valerie Washington has accepted a position as assistant city manager for the City of Fort Worth, Texas. She will begin her new role in September.

A new public safety director for Indianapolis will likely be announced later this week and the replacement is expected to be someone from outside of government.

Public Safety Director Troy Riggs says the number of Indianapolis homicides have declined 22 percent so far this year compared to the same period last year.

If Indianapolis wants to continue to attract top officials to run government agencies, the outgoing public safety director warns they'll have to be paid more.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said during a speech in Indianapolis on Monday that the justice department will rely on local police to help develop trust between minorities and the criminal justice system.