FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Date: February 28, 2005
 
Media Contact: Roberto Ponce Tel: 209-9761 Cell: 332-8932

 
The Mayor’s Commission on Latino Affairs and IPD unveiled Campaign and New Initiatives Against Crime
 
INDIANAPOLIS—The Mayor’s Commission on Latino Affairs and The Indianapolis Police Department (IPD) announced today new measures against crime in the Latino Community and unveiled a Spanish language campaign educating Latinos on those measures.
 
Chief Barker announced that IPD has appointed a new Latino detective and a new Latino outreach coordinator. Both officers will be dedicated to working with the Latino community. He also announced a Spanish language campaign that encourages Latinos in Marion County to report crime by calling a designated line for Spanish speakers. The number to call is 317-327-6682.
 
“Fighting crime is a long term process, and it requires the involvement of every segment of the community,” said Mayor Peterson. “I am appreciative of the Latino community leaders letting us know where problems exits, and I am pleased with the ongoing work of IPD and the Commission on Latino Affairs to find ways to address those problems.”
 
The Mayor’s Commission on Latino Affairs and IPD worked together in the planning and development of the Latino outreach initiative. The campaign includes print and television advertising as well as public relations, grassroots efforts, and collateral pieces.
 
“This campaign is another example of our community policing efforts to address the needs of Latinos in Indianapolis,” said IPD Chief Jerry Barker. “We stand firm on our commitment to fight crime and will continue working with the Mayor’s Commission on Latino Affairs.”
 
Ricardo Gambetta, Director of Latino Affairs for the Mayor’s Office, has led the efforts to find the financial resources to implement the campaign. “Without our sponsors this campaign would not be possible. Our thanks go to State Farm Insurance® and Caboose Productions,” said Gambetta.  “We will continue working to find sponsoring partners to launch subsequent phases to extend the campaign.”
 
The advertising sends the message to fight crime together. “This needs to be everyone’s task and we need to communicate that in our advertising,” said Roberto Ponce, President of Ponce Publicidad. “We are honored to work with IPD and the Mayor’s Commission on Latino Affairs and on such a positive outreach for our community.”
 
The public outreach campaign will begin today and the television spots will air for three weeks beginning in March.  The television spots will educate viewers about some of the measures against crime that the Mayor’s Commission on Latino Affairs and IPD are implementing.

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