INDIANAPOLIS — Ralph Durrett Jr. assumed the role of Indy's chief violence prevention officer in June 2024.
Hired by the city of Indianapolis, his focus is to help curb violence among young people in Marion County.
"I'm feeling good," Durrett said. "I love doing what I'm doing."
Durrett says he is taking the new job step by step, working with existing community partners.
"First step is getting a better understanding of who is doing what," Durrett said, "how they're doing it, when they're doing it."
Those conversations happen at places all across the city, including the Frederick Douglass Family Center on Indy's near north side. Durrett said it's all about making sure kids know where to go and feel connected when they get there.
"There are spaces just like this all around the city of Indianapolis," Durrett said. "There is an ample amount of opportunity in this particular space."
Opportunity to keep kids away from crime, Durrett said.
"It's going to take the community to recognize that we have the ability to do the things we need to do."
This comes as the city continues to see juveniles involved in serious crimes. On December 10, four juveniles were arrested after leading police on a chase in a stolen car.
"What we are talking about is a community issue, which ultimately requires a community solution," Durrett said.
In his day-to-day responsibilities, Durrett said it's less about the actual crime. He does not respond to crime scenes with police. Durrett said the role of chief violence prevention officer is more about working with neighborhood partners who work directly with community members and children.
"What we're talking about is prevention work, which ultimately takes time," Durrett said.
When asked for specific data from the last six months, Durrett said he tries not to focus on the numbers.
"If we are just focusing on the numbers, we're not focusing on what those numbers actually, really mean," Durrett said. "Those numbers are actual, real people."
In 2023, 21 people under the age of 18 were shot and killed, according to IMPD. So far in 2024, that number is down to seven. Durrett said it takes the entire community to continue that decline.
"There's an African proverb that says, 'many hands make light work,'" said Durrett. "We can look at Ralph, we can look at Mayor Hogsett, we can look at IMPD, but it's really looking yourself in the mirror."
Durrett's job comes from Indy's Office of Public Health and Safety. For Durrett, it's personal. He grew up on Indy's west side and lost friends of his own to gun violence.
"I love Indianapolis as a city within itself," Durrett said, "because we have the ability to be greatest city in the United States."