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An Indiana senator has introduced legislation that could lead to a state takeover of policing and criminal prosecution in downtown Indianapolis.
Senate Bill 145, introduced by State Sen. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis, calls for the creation of a downtown district in which Indianapolis police must collaborate with state law enforcement or face a complete Indiana State Police takeover of the district. The legislation also calls for a governor-appointed prosecutor who would have authority over the district rather than the locally elected Marion County prosecutor.
Under the proposal, the governor and the mayor of Indianapolis are expected to negotiate and execute an agreement for mutual assistance between the Indiana State Police and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department before Jan. 1, 2027. If no agreement is reached, Indiana State Police would provide all law enforcement services in the district.
The downtown district would encompass the Mile Square, plus venues and and landmarks including Victory Field, Lucas Oil Stadium, Military Park, American Legion Mall, and the U.S.S. Indianapolis National Memorial along the Downtown Canal.
Under the bill, the cost to provide law enforcement services would be deducted from the state revenue that would have been distributed to Indianapolis. The deductions would follow current law for distribution of taxes and be made by the state treasurer.
The downtown district would have a special prosecutor appointed by the governor to serve a four-year term beginning on Jan. 1, 2027. The appointed prosecutor would have primary jurisdiction over the prosecuting attorney for the judicial district for crimes committed in the Mile Square.
“Downtown Indianapolis serves as the seat of government for the state and Marion County and is the host for major sporting events, tourist attractions and conventions that bring people here for the first time,” Young said in a written statement. “However, crime in downtown Indianapolis makes Hoosiers and visitors feel unsafe and negatively impacts people’s general welfare and the city and state’s economic development.”
If the bill passes, the legislation would usurp local Democratic power in the city’s urban core in favor of Republican control. State leaders and lawmakers have often taken aim at the city’s leadership—including Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears—in similar legislation and public statements.
Young suggested a similar measure last summer.
SB 145 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law, which must hear the legislation for it to progress. That committee is chaired by Indianapolis Republican Sen. Aaron Freeman. Freeman told IBJ Monday that he was returning from vacation and had not had the opportunity to review the legislation.
“This is not the first time we’ve seen an extreme proposal pointed at Indianapolis,” the Mayor’s Office said in an email .”And while the City is always happy to collaborate with the Governor and the State to improve Indianapolis, the notion that the state would take over public safety responsibilities Downtown is a step too far.”
IMPD said in an emailed statement that the agency “will continue operating as usual while closely monitoring” the legislation.
A representative from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said the office did not have a comment at this time. The Indiana State Police said it is policy to refrain from making public statements about pending legislation.
Although shootings in downtown Indianapolis made headlines over the summer of 2025, IMPD has frequently cited the area as one of it’s safest districts.
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