GreenSpaces Initiative Shows Promise in Reducing Violent Crimes
Joint Study by Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and University of Michigan Finds 12% Decrease in Gun Violence Within Half-Mile of “Pocket Parks”
In September 2023, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB), an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, revealed the results of a year-long study on their AES Indianapolis Project GreenSpace program. The program’s purpose was to “transform vacant lots and underused spaces into natural, beautiful, and functional pocket parks and greenspaces.”
Supported by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control, researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health collaborated with KIB to analyze 34 transformed sites against 34 untouched areas, considering various socio-economic factors. The impact was evident, as the study’s key finding revealed a statistically significant 12% reduction in gun violence within a half-mile radius of KIB’s revitalized greenspaces.
These findings not only highlight the transformative power of greenspaces but also offer cities nationwide a new approach to tackling violent crime.
Read the full report HERE.
About Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB):
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB) is an environmental and community nonprofit with a mission to engage diverse communities to create vibrant public places, helping people and nature thrive. KIB is an award-winning affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., a national organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and environment in American communities.
KIB works with neighbors, volunteers, and the City of Indianapolis to plant trees and native landscapes, create community spaces, pick up litter, and engage students of all ages in Indianapolis.
Each year, KIB supports nearly 900 community projects with over 15,000 volunteers. For over 40 years, we’ve partnered with neighbors, the public sector, and Indianapolis community groups and businesses to achieve our vision of a beautiful city.
For more information about Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, visit www.kibi.org or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @kibiorg.
About Keep America Beautiful®:
Keep America Beautiful®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful® strives to End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green, and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by the work and passion of 700 Keep America Beautiful® affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
McCall Vrydaghs
Keep America Beautiful®