Mary Alexander

Cooling the Conflict: A Unified Strategy for Safety
Cooling the Conflict: A Unified Strategy for Safety tackles gun violence, extreme heat, and environmental inequity in Indianapolis’ redlined and school-adjacent neighborhoods. Engaging residents aged 15–35, the project creates shaded Peace Cooling Zones, hosts weekly trauma-informed Peace Pop-Ups, and deploys the Indy Peace Mobile for outreach. In partnership with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, the Office of Public Health and Safety, and Indiana University, the initiative aims to cut firearm assaults by 10–15%, enhance safety perceptions, and model how environmental resilience can drive lasting violence reduction.