Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee Meeting - April 15, 2026
Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee Meeting - April 15, 2026
The Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee of the City-County Council met on April 15, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building. The meeting covered three proposals and a presentation on food access. Key actions included the approval of two appointments and the adoption of an emergency curfew measure for 120 days, following a failed amendment to limit it to 60 days.
Appointments
- Proposal 74, 2026: Appointing Councilor Brianne Delaney to the Early Intervention Planning Council. Councilor Delaney spoke about her experience as a deputy prosecutor and her goal to review the Marion County ordinance. She abstained from the vote, but the proposal passed unanimously with a voice vote.
- Proposal 75, 2026: Appointing Jasmine Tucker to the Citizens Police Complaint Board. Ms. Tucker explained her background as a crisis navigator working with youth and families, and her interest in bridging gaps between generations and law enforcement accountability. The proposal passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- During the discussion of Proposal 99, Jasmine Tucker (recently appointed to the Citizens Police Complaint Board) spoke in support of Councilor Allen’s amendment to reduce the curfew duration to 60 days. She emphasized the need for preventive measures and community-based programs for youth, rather than relying solely on curfew enforcement.
- During the food access presentation, Harrison Jacobo from the Indianapolis Food Coalition spoke about connecting volunteer opportunities at urban farms and food organizations with youth intervention and public safety. He argued that addressing food insecurity can reduce violence by meeting basic needs.
Discussion Items
- Proposal 99, 2026: Authorizing the city to advance public safety curfew hours for juveniles. Chief Terry from IMPD presented data showing rising percentages of youth among homicide victims (3 out of 28 homicides in Q1 2026, or 10.7%, up from 7.3% in Q1 2025) and non-fatal shooting victims (20 out of 90, or 22.2%, up from 17.8% in Q1 2025). He cited national trends of teen takeovers and local incidents, including a recent arrest of a 13-year-old with an AR pistol at 1:30 a.m. The chief requested a 120-day implementation period. Councilor Allen introduced an amendment to reduce the duration to 60 days, arguing that the city should focus on providing youth activities and that evidence was insufficient for a longer period. After debate, the amendment failed on a roll call vote (2-9). The original proposal for a 120-day curfew then passed with a roll call vote (10-1, with Councilor Allen voting nay). The curfew is set to take effect on May 4, 2026.
- Presentation by Indy Hunger Network: Executive Director Kate Howe and Laura Dodds from Purdue Extension Marion County presented on the Indianapolis Food Access Advisory Commission. Key data included: 54% of central Indiana respondents experienced food insecurity in the past year (2025 survey); 86% of food-insecure households had at least one wage earner; SNAP participation in Indiana dropped 11% since August 2024 due to federal cuts. The commission’s five priorities are: federal nutrition programs, developing a food hub, supporting urban farms, creating a food equity plan (to be released soon), and food waste reduction. The Fresh program (Food Resource Services Hub) saw usage drop from 3,700 visitors in 2024 (with ARPA funding) to about 1,000 in 2025 with reduced staffing. Councilors discussed the potential for connecting volunteer opportunities to help residents meet work requirements for SNAP.
Key Outcomes
- Proposal 74 (Delaney appointment): Passed unanimously with Delaney abstaining.
- Proposal 75 (Tucker appointment): Passed unanimously.
- Proposal 99 (curfew): Amendment to limit duration to 60 days failed (2-9). The original 120-day curfew passed (10-1). The ordinance will expire 120 days after passage.
- No formal action taken on the food access presentation, but councilors expressed support and requested follow-up information on commission membership vacancies.
Meeting Transcript
Started. Good evening, everyone. It's 5 30 p.m. on Wednesday, April the 15th, 2026. We're in the public assembly room of the City County Building. Welcome to the public safety and criminal justice committee of the city county council. We'll start introductions of our council members on this committee. Councilor Bain. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Josh Bain, District 21. And thank you, Mr. Chairman Brianne Delaney, District 2 on the north side. Good evening, Chairman. Councillor Wells, District 11, West Side. Thank you, Chairman Jessica McCormick, District 16, West Side. Thank you, Council. Top Counselor Boots. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dan Boots, District 3, Washington Lawrence Townships. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Frank Mascarry, District 19, Southeast Side. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Renee Allen, District 15, the Far East Side. Thank you, Councillors Lee Wy Robinson, Chair of the Committee representing District 1. First up, proposal 74, 2026, appoints Brianne Delaney to the early intervention planning council. Council Delaney. Thoughts, comments. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am honored to be appointed by the majority leader of the city county council to be the Democrat uh liaison to the early intervention planning council. I'm succeeding our uh president Maggie Lewis in that her position on the council and also would be serving with Councillor Anne from the Republican Party. And um I'm just hoping that I can build on my experience as a deputy prosecutor in um trying to help eliminate child abuse and neglect and juvenile involvement with the legal system. Um of the things that I've already been tasked with is trying to review the ordinance as it sits in the Marion County um book of ordinances and trying to make sure that we're following state law and that their um goals and objectives align um with state law and the ordinance. So I've already got my work set out in front of me and I'm honored to serve. Thank you, Counselor. Anyone uh on the committee care to speak to proposal 74. Anyone in the audience care to speak to proposal 74? Seeing none, it shouldn't any motion. Most people are probably moved and seconded. Proposal number 74 for Brianne Delaney. All those in favor, support by saying aye. Aye, those opposed. Motion carries. Council Delaney. Um, I have uh spoken previously with our council attorney about this, and I will be abstaining from the vote. All righty.
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