INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD will enforce Indiana’s curfew law for those under 18 when necessary. Under state law, children ages 15 to 17 may not be in a public place between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Saturdays or Sundays, after 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, or before 5 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Children younger than 15 may not be in a public place after 11 p.m. or before 5 a.m. on any day.
Exceptions include juveniles accompanied by a parent, guardian or custodian, as well as those participating in, going to or returning from work, school-sanctioned activities, religious events or exercising the right of assembly.
Shortly before curfew, officers will make announcements over patrol car public address systems to any large groups of juveniles present. Announcements will occur 30 minutes and 15 minutes before curfew, followed by an additional notice once curfew begins.
If juveniles are found in violation, officers may transport them to the Connection Center, where community partners will provide resources, food and support services. All organizations staffing the center are volunteering their time and resources.
Officers will attempt to notify a parent, guardian or custodian that their child has been detained for violating curfew. Parents will be granted a reasonable amount of time to pick up their child. If contact cannot be established, the juvenile will be transported to the juvenile detention center for a status offense, which officials emphasized is not considered an arrest and does not create a criminal record.
The safety plan includes an increased, visible presence of IMPD officers throughout downtown during peak evening and weekend hours.
IMPD’s Downtown District continues to work closely with business owners to ensure they have support to operate safely. More than 200 downtown businesses have entered into trespass agreements, allowing IMPD officers to remove unwanted persons from private property.