INDIANAPOLIS — Recently, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) announced the department will step up enforcement of Indiana’s current curfew law for those under the age of 18. The action came days after seven youths were shot downtown.
Current Indiana Law states that children from 15-17 years of age may not be in a public place between 1 a.m.-5 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday, after 11 p.m. on Sunday – Thursday, before 5 a.m. on Monday – Friday. Children younger than fifteen years of age may not be in a public place after 11 p.m. or before 5 a.m. on any day. Exceptions to the law include children accompanying a parent or guardian, or a youth returning from work or a school-sanctioned activity.
Prior to the curfew taking effect, the department will issue announcements via patrol car public address systems to any groups of juveniles in the area. Specifically, announcements will occur 30 minutes and 15 minutes before curfew, followed by an announcement at the time the curfew is in effect.
In the event that juveniles are found violating the curfew, officers may take appropriate action. This may involve bringing the juvenile to a designated safe and secure location. Subsequently, officers will attempt to notify a parent, custodian parent, or guardian of the child. Parents and guardians will be granted a reasonable amount of time to pick up their child. If contact with a parent or guardian cannot be established, the juvenile will be transported to the juvenile detention center.
A curfew violation is a status offense. This is a non-criminal act that is considered a violation of the law only because of the juvenile’s status as a minor.
Leading up to the time of the curfew taking effect, residents can expect increased presence of uniformed and non-uniformed officers in multiple areas of our city this weekend and beyond. To enhance IMPD’s public safety efforts, analysts in the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) will monitor city cameras and utilize other technology to identify individuals engaging in disorderly and criminal.