8/18/2006
Media Contact:
Major Lloyd Crowe
317-327-3424 |
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Mayor, IPD, school officials roll out plan focused on keeping kids safe as school begins
Police begin curfew sweeps, increased presence at bus stops and schools
Indianapolis- City officials and police leadership today joined school administrators to roll out a plan focused on keeping children safe as schools across Indianapolis begin classes.
Mayor Bart Peterson, Superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools Eugene White, Director of Public Safety Earl Morgan, Indianapolis Police Department Chief Michael Spears and IPS Police Chief Steve Garner were all on hand to outline coordinated efforts to ensure safe travel to and from school and enhanced curfew sweeps aimed at keeping kids off the street late at night.
“These efforts focus on keeping kids safe both during school hours and after the school day ends,” said Mayor Peterson. “We will be especially vigilant with stepped-up curfew sweeps. Nothing good can happen to young people out after curfew.”
Last night, about 50 officers from IPD, the Marion County Sheriff's Department and the Lawrence Police Department performed the first of several enhanced, coordinated citywide curfew sweeps. Police took a number of curfew violators into custody and detained them at a local community center until a parent or guardian could pick them up. Last night’s stepped up enforcement marks the first time in years local police were able to detain young people for violating curfew.
Several versions of the state curfew law -- which gave police the ability to take youth under the age of 18 into custody for being out too late -- have been struck down in court after being ruled unconstitutional. The city enacted its own curfew ordinance after the state law was challenged in court, but the local law only allows police to ticket violators.
A revised state curfew law, including new provisions that make it constitutional, recently went into effect this summer – allowing police to actually detain curfew violators.
“Curfew enforcement is designed to keep young people out of harm’s way and give parents a tool they can use to keep their children in during late hours,” the Mayor said.
Along with getting youth off the streets at night, IPD Chief Michael Spears said another key focus of police will be keeping kids safe in and around local schools.
“We plan to have an increased presence in our schools, at neighborhood bus stops and in school zones this year,” said IPD Chief Michael Spears. “All of our officers are committed to making safety the number one priority for our kids going to and from school.”
IPD’s plan to increase public safety near schools includes:
- Strictly enforcing speed limits in school zones with the assistance of the IPD Traffic Branch. Officers will enforce speed limits in neighborhoods and pull over vehicles that fail to stop for the extended school bus stop sign.
- Increased attention at neighborhood bus stops and crosswalks, regularly monitoring school locations as students arrive and leave school.
- Regular visits to schools by IPD Neighborhood Resource Officers. Police will check in with school staff and build positive relationships with students.
- Continued community education and outreach through the IPD PAL Club program. These programs include the GREAT Program, gun safety, poster contests and numerous after school activities.
- Enhancing the strong relationship between IPD and IPS school police.
“We are prepared to provide the best possible public safety in our school zones, and parents can be assured – we will do everything in our power to keep their kids safe,” Chief Spears said.
Public Safety Director Earl Morgan reminded the community that they have a responsibility to keep school zones safe by following traffic laws and being aware of their surroundings while driving.
“We all must do our part to ensure the protection of our young people and the safety of our schools,” Morgan said.
And for those who want to take a more active role in keeping their schools safe, Chief Spears said IPS is still looking for people in the community to fill the important role of school crossing guard. The Chief encouraged anyone interested in becoming a crossing guard to call 327-3354 or 327-4187.
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