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A proposal to change curfew times in Indianapolis was introduced to the City-County Council on Monday night in the wake of a downtown shooting that left two teenagers dead over the holiday weekend.
Councilor Leroy Robinson (D-District 1), in cooperation with Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration, introduced Proposal 232, an ordinance that would change curfew starting times for 15-, 16, and 17-year-olds from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays and from 11 p.m. to 9 p.m. on all other days.
The proposal also calls for changing the curfew time for those younger than 15 from 11 p.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
All of the curfew times continue to end at 5 a.m.
The public will be able to comment on the proposal when it is heard by the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee on July 16 at 5:30 p.m.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office on Monday announced it has filed charges against four teens in connection to the shooting that killed two people and injured at least five others over the July Fourth holiday weekend.
The Prosecutor’s Office said three of the teens were being charged as juveniles, while Vincent Lanking Jr., age 17, is being charged as an adult and faces counts of dangerous possession of a firearm, resisting law enforcement and obstruction of justice.
The remaining charges were filed against a 13-year-old boy, who was charged with theft of a firearm, possession of marijuana and dangerous possession of a firearm; a 15-year-old boy who was charged with dangerous possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana and resisting law enforcement; and a 16-year-old boy charged with dangerous possession of a firearm.
The shooting near the intersection of Illinois and Washington streets killed two boys, ages 16 and 15. Five other victims who survived the shootings ranged in age from 16 to 21.
“The youth gun violence we experienced in our city this weekend was tragic, unacceptable—and completely preventable,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said Monday evening in a written statement. “Our city’s youth have no business being out unsupervised in the middle of the night. … Over the coming days, I will be continuing important conversations with community and law enforcement regarding the steps we must take to increase enforcement of this extended curfew, which will save lives. What is immediately clear: everyone in our community has a role to play in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our city’s youth.
“As mayor, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of all the residents of our city. Parents and guardians, help us keep your kids safe by ensuring they follow the curfew hours.”
Robinson, who chairs the council’s Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee , said the committee “will also discuss ways to hold parents and guardians more accountable for violations of the curfew ordinance and additional amendments will be considered for this matter, including issuing fines and parenting classes for repeat violations.”
Earlier Monday, Gov. Mike Braun issued a statement praising the response of Indiana State Police following the shooting. He called on Hogsett and Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears to do more.
“I am proud of the critical support the Indiana State Police offered this weekend to protect our state capital,” he said. “At the request of IMPD, who is doing tremendous work in an increasingly difficult environment, Indiana State Police deployed troopers from its Special Operations Section, troopers from its Indianapolis District, and its Aviation Section whose presence sent a clear message that violence would not be tolerated downtown. Officers apprehended suspects, recovered stolen weapons, and patrolled the downtown area. While they were downtown, no shootings occurred.
“Indiana State Police will continue devoting additional resources to keep our state capital safe as long as is needed. However, the Indianapolis mayor and prosecutor must do their part to protect the city and that means taking swift action to address this criminal activity and the bad actors who perpetuate it.”
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