Indianapolis officials enforce teen curfew – News 8 at 5
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Gov. Mike Braun warned of possible state intervention if recent gun violence in Indianapolis becomes a long-term trend.
His comments on Wednesday came ahead of what’s expected to be a busy weekend for law enforcement with the WNBA All-Star Game and Indiana Black Expo.
Braun said, “Indianapolis’ own justice system is not doing the job. I think the police department is, but the rest of the equation is not being carried out.”
The Republican governor blamed the Democratic-led city-county government, specifically Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, for high-profile incidents such as the downtown mass shooting on Independence Day weekend.
Braun said of the two city leaders, “If they keep having that dereliction of responsibility and duty, it would force the state, and the legislature, my involvement as well. This is just the clarion call to do something different,” adding he “respects that (Indianapolis is) its own jurisdiction”.
What that “involvement” could look like is unclear, though Braun hinted at increased state oversight of local prosecutors.
News 8 asked the governor’s office, the mayor’s office, and the prosecutor’s office if there have been any conversations between Braun and Hogsett or Mears. No one responded by the time this story aired Wednesday evening.
In the wake of the July 5 mass shooting, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has previously said Indiana State Police would help increase the police presence downtown.
Surrounded by Indiana State Police leaders Wednesday inside the Statehouse, Braun said Indiana will take “every precaution available” to ensure a safe environment for the events surrounding the WNBA All-Star Game. Events will begin Friday, ending Saturday night with the game at Gainbrdige Fieldhouse.
Also on Wednesday, the governor echoed calls from the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police asking Mears to seek stronger enforcement of violent crime, though Braun did not offer examples of prosecutors failing to enforce the laws when News 8 asked.
“Broadly, I think the prosecutor is not taking up cases that the police bring to them,” Braun said.
Indianapolis City-County Councilor Rob Gibson, a Democrat, believes Mears has “shown that he can be tough on violent crimes,” but Gibson believes the solutions extend beyond harsh penalties.
“There’s a social-economic element here,” Gibson said. “We’re dealing with young folks that may not have the guidance or discipline at home.”
As News 8 has reported, the prosecutor’s office said it’s working with IMPD to potentially seek stricter enforcement of neglect charges for parents of juvenile offenders as a way to curb youth violence.
Hogsett, in a statement shared with News 8, said his administration “remains laser focused on ensuring that those who enjoy our Downtown this weekend, next weekend, and in the future are safe. And we are continuing to add new tools to support law enforcement in this effort.”
“The City is committed to not just the safety of Downtown, but the safety of every neighborhood,” the statement continued. “The numbers don’t lie- violence, including criminal homicides and non-fatal shootings, are continuing to trend downward each and every year. Our gun violence reduction strategy is saving lives.”
Along with increasing police presence, IMPD has promised to add security cameras downtown and enforce the curfew for minors. But local officials, and eventually IMPD Chief Chris Bailey, said logistical issues likely makes strict curfew enforcement implausible.
Indiana state Rep. Andrew Ireland, a Republican representing Marion County, and others have floated the idea of a “capital zone” that would see Indiana State Police take over all policing in the downtown area.
State police Superintendent Anthony Scott told News 8, to his knowledge, that is not on the table.
While there have been charges filed against some people who were in the downtown area in the moments leading to the July 5 mass shooting at West Washington Street and South Illinois Street, no one has been officially accused of shooting the two teenagers who died or five others injured in the early morning.
Statements
“The City of Indianapolis is always appreciative of the longstanding partnership of the IMPD, Indiana State Police, and federal partners to ensure the safety of large scale events like the WNBA All-Star Weekend and Indiana Black Expo.
“My Administration remains laser focused on ensuring that those who enjoy our Downtown this weekend, next weekend, and in the future are safe. And we are continuing to add new tools to support law enforcement in this effort.
“The City is committed to not just the safety of Downtown, but the safety of every neighborhood. The numbers don’t lie- violence, including criminal homicides and non-fatal shootings, are continuing to trend downward each and every year. Our gun violence reduction strategy is saving lives.”
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, a Democrat
“This week alone Marion County Prosecutors have sentenced five people to significant sentences on murder cases, filed five additional murder charges, charged seven other people who were downtown on the July 4 weekend— bringing that total to 11 (and counting). Just today prosecutors secured a six-year prison sentence for a man who groped a woman downtown.
“These efforts are a reflection of our commitment to actively prosecuting violent crime. Prosecutors and our law enforcement partners in Marion County will continue to focus on our community— not on politics.”
Marion County Prosecutor’s Office
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