INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The founder of a nonprofit who works with at-risk youth on Monday said, so far, the city’s new curfew proposal appears to involve the community more than in the past.

Kareem Hines, founder of New Breed of Youth, said he was waiting for details from the city government on how it will reunify youth who violate curfew with parents or guardians, but he suspects there will be a system similar to the reunification centers that were set up during WNBA All Star-Weekend.

Hines said city officials have involved organizations like his much more in curfew discussions than they have in the past. He said Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s role in the curfew should be a last resort “It is not IMPD’s responsibility to enforce a curfew. Enforcing a curfew starts at home, then it extends to the community, then maybe IMPD brings up the back, but it has to start at home. That starts with parent education, parent awareness, then they communicate that to their kids.”

Council members pursued the expanded curfew after a mass shooting downtown early July 5 left two teens dead and five more wounded.

Under the proposal, children ages 15 through 17 could not be in a public place anywhere in Marion County between 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through 5 a.m. the next day, or between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. the rest of the week.

The current curfew for that age group is 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays to 5 a.m. the next day, and 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. the rest of the week. Children younger than 15 could not be in a public place between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. throughout the week, rather than the current 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The proposal passed the council’s public safety committee 10-0 in July.

The proposal does not include an enforcement mechanism.

Council Republicans will introduce a proposal Monday night to add a new fine system. Parents would receive written notification the first time their child violates curfew. Parents then would have to pay a $500 fine the second time their child violates curfew, and a $1,500 fine for each subsequent offense.

Council minority leader Michael-Paul Hart said the city already has a fine system for curfew violations but it’s vague. He said the new proposal would ensure parents clearly understood their responsibilities before fines were levied.

“The goal isn’t to set out a bunch of fines. The goal at the end of the day is to let parents know that there, this mechanism is here, that we are serious about safety in the city of Indianapolis,” Hart said. “And it’s unfortunate that we got to this point but we’re here now and it’s time for everybody to step up and do their part to help keep Indianapolis safe.”

Hines said charging fines might get people’s attention but it also could penalize parents who work overnight shifts or who have trouble finding child care.

The new curfew hours would go into effect immediately upon passage Monday night.

The council GOP-backed fine proposal is at least a month away from a vote.

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