Dear Councilors Adamson, Jones, and Osili, I'm writing to you in regards with questions I have surrounding Proposal 256 that the three of you introduced in the Indianapolis City County Council on July 7th 2022. I’m skeptical of the proposal as of right now but want to have all the facts from you all to make an informed decision about what my formal position will be in public comments.

I have several specific questions for involved Councilors and separate questions the Office of Public Health & Safety (OPHS).

My specific questions applying to all three Councilors are as follows:

Given your concern about charitable distributions leading to “serious physical harm to the most vulnerable members of our community”  as stated in prop 256 did you ever post a press release or digital information flyer making the general public aware of this serious situation and directing them to the voluntary registration process with OPHS (Office of Public Health & Safety) and/or to use its designated charitable distribution sites?

Did you in any way distribute physical mailers or handbills to make the public aware of the public safety issues referred to in Proposal 256?

Did you in any publicized recorded media interviews direct the general public to use the OPHS voluntary registration process and/or designated Charitable distribution sites?

Have you ever made a site visit to both OPHS designated charitable distribution sites for the entire city of Indianapolis?

When were you made aware that the Old City Hall charitable distribution site didn't have basic infrastructure like trash bins?

When were you made aware that the Babe Denny Park charitable distribution site likely has accessibility challenges during many public events scheduled nearby at Lucas Oil Stadium?

What is the process for escalation if someone were to potentially violate this ordinance and not pay the fines as defined by the city’s legal counsel?

Was the racial equity impact of Proposal 256 discussed on Indianapolis’ mostly Black homeless population as documented by the Indiana University Policy Institute’s research studies:

 https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/handle/1805/24103

https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/handle/1805/27111

Specific questions to an Office of Public Health & Safety representative:

Did OPHS ever post a press release or digital information flyer making the general public aware of serious safety concerns surrounding charitable distributions and directing them to the voluntary registration process with OPHS (Office of Public Health & Safety) and/or to use its designated charitable distribution sites?

Did OPHS in any way distribute physical mailers or handbills to make the public aware of the public safety issues referred to in Proposal 256?

Did OPHS in any publicized recorded media interviews direct the general public to use the OPHS voluntary registration process and/or designated Charitable distribution sites?

Was the potential for negative health outcomes for individuals with diabetes & other illnesses discussed before strongly discouraging all perishable food items to be donated to Indianapolis’ mostly Black homeless population on the voluntary signup for charitable distribution sites?

Feel free to email me separately or together or in whatever format is convenient, with the understanding that I do need the answers to these questions well before the Public Safety committee Proposal 256 will be heard at, so that I can make an educated decision on supporting it or not supporting it.

Respectfully
Wildstyle