Indianapolis leaders pledge changes after overnight juvenile violence

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Following a fatal mass shooting that killed two teens, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey pledged they will make changes to prevent youth violence.

In a press briefing Saturday afternoon, Bailey said IMPD will be making changes to how they enforce juvenile curfew while patrolling in downtown Indianapolis.

First, Bailey said IMPD will be adding more cameras in strategic “areas of concern,” with high-risk violence in downtown Indianapolis.

Then, IMPD said they will expand collaboration Indiana State Police troopers. Bailey said IMPD and ISP will both be expanding a police presence downtown “for the foreseeable future.”

But the changes go beyond police enforcement.

Along with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, Bailey announced they will being implementing stay-away orders for violent or repeat offenders. The new orders will focus on preventing those already in trouble with the law from going to hotspots for violence downtown, like Monument Circle.

Bailey said Indianapolis community leaders will work with the Indianapolis City-County Council to revisit city ordinances surrounding locations like food venues and food trucks. He pointed at food trucks and other gathering-spots as a major factor for bringing bad actors together once bars have closed.

Like many in our community, I, too, am sad and disheartened learning about the violent incidents that occurred downtown last night. Loss of life caused by gun violence at any age is tragic. There are no words when that victim is a child whose life has only begun. My thoughts and prayers are with the families whose lives will never be the same, and our community mourns your loss.

It is imperative that we unite as one city and support our youth leaders, community organizers, public safety officials, elected officials and all individuals and address this situation. To address the violence we’re witnessing throughout our city, we must distribute resources to support efforts, including but not limited to:

• Paying for downtown police overtime.
• Providing a minimum of three Emergency Response Group (ERG) squads on Friday and Saturday nights through the end of the summer.
• Maintain public safety presence in Broad Ripple and Castleton.
• Readdress the proper implementation of the Enforce Curfew Law.
• Direct dollars (private and public) to have social action organizations work with police to de-escalate situations.

Indianapolis is our city, and it will take all of us to protect our youth, families, and neighborhoods. I look forward to working alongside community members interested in ensuring that all who visit our downtown and neighboring communities are safe.

Indianapolis City-County Council Majority Leader, Maggie Lewis

This is a developing story.

Related coverage

• Mass shooting kills 2, 7 injured; Hundreds of juveniles involved in overnight violence

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