Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee Meeting - July 16, 2025

The Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee of the Indianapolis City-County Council met on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building. The meeting covered two appointments to the Citizens' Police Complaint Board and a proposed amendment to curfew hours for minors. The committee voted unanimously to advance all three proposals to the full council.

Consent Calendar

• Proposal No. 187, 2025 – Appointing Ellise Smith to the Citizens' Police Complaint Board. Approved unanimously.
• Proposal No. 216, 2025 – Appointing Jocelyn Mappes to the Citizens' Police Complaint Board. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrew Cullen (resident of Mile Square for 25 years, speaking solely for himself): Expressed frustration with the lack of curfew enforcement and praised IMPD's efforts. He stated that civilian leadership had previously stopped enforcement, and urged the city to embrace state police assistance and fund proactive community policing. He supported the proposal and called for continued momentum.
• Larry Vaughn: Argued that the youth in question are largely homeless or on the verge of homelessness and do not care about curfew. He claimed that wraparound services are coercive and that the city has failed to provide job training or industrial schools. He opposed the proposal as insufficient.
• Rick Snyder (President of the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police): Criticized the proposal as "too little too late" noting that two more children had died over the weekend. He stated that the criminal justice system is broken and that officers lack trust in the council. He emphasized the need for indemnification language to protect officers enforcing the curfew, and called for accountability in the prosecutor's office and courts. He expressed support for Chief Chris Bailey and Assistant Chief Wally.
• Chelsea English (school social worker at Shortridge High School): Described her program "Shine" which provides safe after-school and Friday night events for teens. She reported sending over 60 emails to city officials and organizations with little response, and asked for funding or partnership. She noted that two of her students had been lost to gun violence this year.
• Kent Lamar: Suggested that juveniles should be required to wear a displayed ID on a lanyard when out late on weekends. He argued that criminal gangs are recruiting juveniles because they know they will not carry a record into adulthood. He called for a committee to address the issue comprehensively.

Discussion Items

• Proposal No. 232, 2025 – Amendment to Chapter 381, Sections 101 and 102 of the Revised Code regarding curfew hours for children.
  • Brandon Beeler (Corporation Counsel) presented the amendment: The proposal advances curfew hours by two hours for public safety reasons. For children ages 15–17, curfew becomes after 11 p.m. on Friday/Saturday and after 9 p.m. Sunday–Thursday. For children under 15, curfew becomes after 9 p.m. every day. The new hours will expire after 120 days absent further council action, as required by state law (Indiana Code 31-37-3-4).
  • Deputy Chief Chris Bailey (IMPD): Stated that the spike in unsupervised juvenile activity downtown over the past six weeks is unacceptable, including the deaths of two juveniles on July 4th. He expressed support for the proposal and promised to work with the Corporation Council on enforcement policy.
  • Assistant Chief Wally (IMPD) described the enforcement plan: Officers will give warnings via PA system in English and Spanish 30 minutes and 15 minutes before curfew, then a final notice at curfew. A reunification center will be set up downtown where officers can escort minors for processing. Parents or guardians will be contacted, and community service providers will offer connections to resources. The approach is described as restorative, not disciplinary.
  • Heather Savage (co-founder, Let Them Talk): Her organization will support the reunification center by providing a safe, supportive, and non-punitive environment to build relationships with youth.
  • Misha White (Executive Director, Children's Policy and Law Initiative of Indiana): Her organization will help bring resources to the space.
  • Andrew Merkley (Director, Office of Public Health and Safety): OPHS will assist with the reunification center and has reassigned violence interrupters, outreach workers, and life coaches to downtown. Peace pop-ups will be held on the Circle on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6–9 p.m.
  • Shardé Hoskins (Lead Chief Violence Reduction Officer, OPHS): Her team will be downtown in orange shirts spreading messages of peace and nonviolent conflict resolution. They are also hosting pop-ups in neighborhoods with recent violence.
  • Councilor Boots raised questions about the statutory construction of overlapping sections (101-102 vs. 103-104) and the need for clarity on when the public safety hours apply. He also advocated for enhanced penalties for parents, noting that current enforcement has been weak.
  • Councilor Graves emphasized collaboration with parents, suggested that activities outside downtown should be offered before curfew, and asked about transportation barriers for parents unable to pick up their children. Assistant Chief Wally responded that a trusted adult can be designated, but no transportation service is currently set up.
  • Councilor Hart (Majority Leader) echoed the need for parental accountability and stated that his policy team is working on additional measures. He supported the curfew proposal but noted that broader solutions are needed.
  • Councilor Delaney asked about the mechanics of the 120-day sunset: The council will need to pass a separate resolution to extend the advanced hours if conditions persist. She also asked about enforcement procedures; Assistant Chief Wally explained that officers will handcuff for safety but will relax that at the reunification center to maintain a welcoming atmosphere.
  • Councilor Mowery (Mowery) expressed concern about the lack of escalating consequences for repeat offenders, noting that without a deterrent, youth may simply spend a few hours at the reunification center and reoffend. He asked about fine limits; Beeler responded that state law caps fines at $2,500 for a first offense and $7,500 for a second offense under the ordinance.
  • Councilor Bain asked about the exemption for youths returning from work and how officers verify it. Assistant Chief Wally said officers will use reasonable basis and standard procedures. Chief Bailey added that the goal is voluntary compliance, and that many youth are out because they do not want to go home.
  • Councilor Nay (Nay) supported the proposal as a step in the right direction but urged continued action. He suggested redirecting violence interrupter dollars to downtown police overtime, deploying three emergency response squads downtown on weekends, and backfilling resources in Broad Ripple and Castleton. He also called for a mid-point review of the curfew after 60 days.

Key Outcomes

• Proposal No. 187 (Ellise Smith, Citizens' Police Complaint Board) – Moved to full council with a do-pass recommendation. Unanimous vote (voice vote).
• Proposal No. 216 (Jocelyn Mappes, Citizens' Police Complaint Board) – Moved to full council with a do-pass recommendation. Unanimous vote (voice vote).
• Proposal No. 232 (Curfew hours amendment) – First, an amendment (moved by Councilor Graves) to adopt the new curfew hours with a 120-day sunset was approved unanimously by roll call (10 ayes). Second, an amendment (moved by Councilor Bain) to add language referencing indemnification of officers under IC 24-13-3D and 5E was approved by roll call (10 ayes). The proposal as amended was then moved to full council with a do-pass recommendation by roll call (10 ayes). The proposal will be considered by the full council at a later meeting.