INDIANAPOLIS -
Downtown crime is putting an ugly mark on one of the city's most beautiful places.
From the American Legion Mall to the Federal Courts Building, there are six blocks of grass, trees, monuments along with criminals who police are trying catch.
More people are killing more time and, authorities say, causing more trouble in one of the city's top downtown attractions. There are drunks, drug users, and people who just look scary.
"I do look over my shoulder...because you see a variety of people that might cause trouble," said Bettina Nixon, a downtown worker.
The problem is in the American Legion Mall, and arks bordering the Indiana War Memorial.
"We've had some confrontations. We've had some fights. We've had people that caused disturbances," said J. Stewart Goodwin, War Memorial executive director.
Maintenance crews routinely find drug paraphernalia and witness sex acts, according to Goodwin.
In the six blocks from the Indianapolis Public Library south to the Federal Courts building, Indianapolis Police responded to 274 criminal incidents in just six months.
Public intoxication, assaults and narcotics are the most mentioned offenses in police reports. IndyGo now pays off duty police to watch for troublemakers at the Federal Building bus stop.
Richard, who's protecting his identity, waits as far away as he can.
"Fighting, selling crack and everything else. If I don't have to come down here, I won't come. That's all there is to it," he said.
State and city police have stepped up their tactics.
There are more police patrols and undercover investigations and more security cameras. When too many trouble makers gather in one area, their favorite park benches and tables have been known to disappear.
Frequent visitors say they've seen a difference, but it is still a work in progress.
"This ground has been dedicated to our Hoosiers and if we ever have a time when people are not comfortable to come here. We don't want that to happen," said Stewart.
Bettina Nixon says she's always alert when she's in the area.
J. Stewart Goodwin, War Memorial executive director
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