INDIANAPOLIS -- After two months walking the streets of some of Indy's most dangerous neighborhoods, a group of "Concerned OGs" say their message of peace is starting to be heard.
The group, made up of ex-criminals, walks regularly along Sherman Drive between 30th and 38th streets. Police say groups like the Concerned OGs and the Ten Point Coalition can often do things uniformed officers can't.
"I think a majority of the time they have the ability to go in, they are probably going to know the people, the people are going to know them," said IMPD Assistant Chief Randal Taylor. "[They] will have great success in just stepping in, trying to calm the peace and get an agreement."
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Craig Bledsoe, one of the founders of the group, says the goal is simply to decrease crime in their neighborhoods.
On Monday, a crowd of around 50 people joined Bledsoe and the OGs for their walk.
So far this year, a dozen homicides have taken place in the areas the OGs are focusing on.
The OGs say they aren't going away, but need more resources to expand their efforts – including funding and more people to walk.
The group walks along Sherman Drive every Monday evening except for the third Monday of each month. Their next walk is scheduled for October 24 at 6 p.m.
