The Indianapolis Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee on Oct. 20, 2025, approved three reappointments to city advisory bodies, voting by voice to reappoint Duane Ingram to the Board of Public Health and Safety, Daniette Smith to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team and Wendy Tucker to the Early Intervention Planning Council.

The reappointments maintain membership on boards that advise the city on public safety, domestic-violence response and early childhood services. Committee members said the appointments preserve continuity for ongoing reviews and community programs.

Duane Ingram, introduced as a vice chairman of the Board of Public Health and Safety, told the committee the board has questioned outdated or delinquent contracts and pushed for more vetting of grants and agreements. "We really take our fiduciary responsibility to the city seriously," Ingram said, adding the board seeks to ensure "those dollars are used in the most efficient way possible." Councilors asked about potential conflicts with Ingram’s professional work; Ingram confirmed he serves as vice president of community at Verizon and said, "If that situation does happen, I will recuse myself." The committee approved his reappointment by voice vote.

Daniette Smith, reappointed to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team, described changes to the team’s work since she joined as a survivor-member and later as chair. Smith said the panel now meets monthly to review domestic-violence fatalities and to develop recommendations for prosecutors, judges and community corrections, with an emphasis on strengthening strangulation charges. Smith reported homicide counts the team tracks: 34 in 2022, 14 in 2023, 9 in 2024 and 6 so far in 2025. She said meeting notes are maintained and can be shared with council members; the team’s staff liaison is Yolanda. The committee approved her reappointment by voice vote.

Wendy Tucker, reappointed to the Early Intervention Planning Council, said the council coordinates a network of community providers to support children in Marion County and to prevent maladaptive behaviors. "Our goal is that the children in Marion County are healthy," Tucker said, and she said the council works to strengthen local organizations and advocate for children’s services. A councilor asked whether the council directly manages city grants; Tucker said it does not. The committee approved her reappointment by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: Proposal 3.15 — Reappointment of Duane Ingram to Board of Public Health and Safety — motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote. Proposal 3.18 — Reappointment of Daniette Smith to Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team — motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote. Proposal 3.19 — Reappointment of Wendy Tucker to Early Intervention Planning Council — motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote.

The committee adjourned after completing the agenda items.