IMPD to enforce curfew, work with state police after downtown mass shooting

Indianapolis Star

18 hours ago

Indianapolis officials announced several safety initiatives at a July 5 news conference in the wake of a Fourth of July weekend mass shooting that left two teenagers dead and several other people wounded.
In an effort to curb the "lawlessness, disrespect and reckless behavior" Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey said he's seen downtown over the past few weeks, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the city would return to enforcing a state curfew.
According to state law, teenagers ages 15-17 must be home between 1-5 a.m. on Saturday-Sunday and by 11 p.m. Sunday-Friday. Children under the age of 15 must be in their homes by 11 p.m. every day.
Hogsett, who has kept a low profile since the release of a report on his administration's handling of internal sexual harassment allegations, said more must be done. The city's previous choice to educate people rather than enforcing the curfew needed to change, he said.
In addition to the curfew, some people may not be allowed to visit Mile Square, as Bailey said he's directing IMPD to seek stay-away order for anyone charged with violent crimes, weapons violations and disorderly behavior.
The department is also working to add surveillance cameras in areas of concern and station more officers downtown, Bailey said, adding that officials from the Indiana State Police have agreed to add troopers throughout the summer. The troopers will help alleviate staffing issues, he said, which have been making it harder to get officers to voluntarily work overtime shifts.
During news conferences hosted in the wake of the downtown shooting, Bailey described a scene of frequent conflict despite the presence of hundreds of officers from IMPD, ISP and Capitol police.
Bailey said some people were seen doing drugs in public and launching bottle rockets at pedestrians. At least 11 people were arrested downtown July 5, with charges ranging from weapons position to battery.
He also reminded the public that it is illegal to contributing to the delinquency of a minor and neglect a dependent after seeing several adults driving downtown to drop off teenagers.
"We cannot grow numb to the violence in our community where it occurs," Bailey said. "We cannot accept this as normal."
Kareem Hines, who founded a program called New Breed of Youth, made a plea to guardians to monitor their teenagers' social plans. Pastor Richard Reynolds told parents not be embarrassed asking for help from the community.
Hines said New Breed of Youth would take in anyone and occupy them productively with options like boxing, rapping or entrepreneurship.
David Greene, president of the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, said the shooting highlights the need for mandatory firearm safety training and stronger penalties for those who misuse guns.