‘All INdiana Politics’ panel | Curfew expansion not a cure-all

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two members of Indiana’s best political team on Friday said the city should combine a stricter curfew with more community resources.

Following Saturday’s mass shooting in downtown Indianapolis that left two teens dead and put five more people in the hospital, three of whom also were teenagers, city councilors said they will consider imposing a youth curfew two hours earlier each night than required by state law. Indianapolis said unsupervised kids were a factor in the shooting.

Former Indiana Democratic Party Chair Kip Tew said the idea is worth trying. Tew said he partly blames Republican state lawmakers for loosening the state’s gun laws.

“When I was growing up, they didn’t have guns. They’d fight each other with fists or they’d stab each other or something, but they didn’t have access to guns,” he said. “Now, everybody has access to a gun and that is a big problem that Republicans won’t work with Democrats to try and fix.”

Former Marion County Republican Party Chair Tom John said although a city law doesn’t carry the same weight as a state criminal law, which is something only the Indiana legislature can approve, city leaders can help by providing better support to law enforcement. John said he blames a lack of leadership from Democratic Mayor Joe Hogsett.

“The mayor needs to give the police the support to actually go out and do the things that they need to do to protect this community. And really, that’s what this comes down to is lack of leadership,” he said.

Tew and John both said the city’s nonprofit sector needs greater support to fill the gaps where the city government does not have the resources or the authority.

Tew said the city should support organizations that teach children how to peacefully deescalate problems.

“All INdiana Politics” airs at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WISH-TV.

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