Thread by @reasons2write

Hi, I'll be live-tweeting today's Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee meeting #indydocumenters
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy

Meeting started at 5:34 p.m. with introductions from committee members.

Alexis Hatchard and Evan Shearin have been appointed to the Juvenile Detention Board Advisory Board.

@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Vice Chair Rena Allen would love Evan Shearin to look at preventative measures and be proactive with the youth just as committee member Kieth Graves mentioned.

@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Kevin Wethington, IMPD's Deputy Chief of Administration and Technology request for $875,000 to prepay a financing agreement that IMPD took in 2021 to buy an allotment of police cars. This funding will pay the balance for 2026 but not for 2027.

Councilor Maggie Lewis from District 5 asked Deputy Chief Keith if IMPD can provide a plan to present to the councillors so that they do not this rigamarole of paying IMPD car debt.

Councilor Brian Mowery stated to the Controller of IMPD to stop screwing with the budget because you know that you are going to ask and that we are going to pass it.

@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Councilor Crista Wells wants to move forward to cash out this balance and help with morale and retention so she voted in favor.

@indydocumenters @mirrorindy IMPD's Deputy Chief Keith Wethington stated that no sedan's will be purchased due to discontinuation of the Dodge Charge. The IMPS will be purchasing the new Durango priced at $40,000.

Committee members passed IMPD's proposal to pay off the $875,000 debt for their vehicles for the year 2026.

During a discussion to add age 17 to the proposal for the juvenile curfew, Carlos Perkins vocalized not supporting the proposal. Perkins stated that the real conversation is about the availability of guns and weapons and not about coming down on our youth.

5 kids were victims of homicide this year so far. 1 of 5 were out past curfew.

The juvenile curfew does have a list of exemptions to the law.

Councilor Keith Graves does not support the amendment to add 17 year olds to the curfew. He believes that employing the youth can help give them some responsibility.

Vice Chair Rena Allen states that she keeps hearing let's talk to the experts but have we talked to the kids. Allen mentioned the kids have stated they feel they are not feeling heard and the youth has a negative interaction with IMPD.

Vice Chair Rena Allen will not be supporting the amendment to add the 17 year olds to the juvenile curfew. In contrast, Councilor Crista Wells will be in support of the amendment.

Proposal 189 to amend the language to add the age 17 to the juvenile curfew was passed 8 to 3.

Public commenter Alexis Hatchard stated that this amendment imposes immeasurable trauma on youth and families and staff are worried about the number of children that it will add to the facility even if it is for a short time.

Proposal 190 that is owned by Councilor Michael Hart is a call to direct City-County to require changes to the Office of the Public Health and Safety (OPHS) after the audit completed by the Office of Audit and Performance (OAP).

Councilor Frank Mascari and Crista Wells will not be supporting Proposal 190. Wells does not believe that cutting the budget will help these organizations.

Councilor Dan Boots likes everything in proposal 190 because it's steps towards accountability, but is not sure that freezing the money for all that OPHS performs is not a practical rule, but does agree with the intent of the proposal.

Councilor Keith Graves states that OPHS is largely responsible for the trend of reducing crime. It will be ineffective and sends the wrong message to leaders if we withhold the funds from OPHS.

Councilor Brienne Delaney believe that proposal 190 comes to close to defunding but does agree with Councilor Boots when it comes to having metrics shown within the organization.

Councilor Mascari made a motion to table the motion for Proposal 190.

Councilor Michael Hart clarified that the freeze pertains to 2027 if actions 1-4 were not completed. OPHS budget for 2026 would not be impacted.

Councilors voted 6-5 in favor of not tabling Proposal 190.

A full audit will be happening July 31st for the Office of Public Health and Safety.

Councilor Hart asked a spokesperson of the OPHS do they have any dates they can provide. An exact date cannot be given at the moment, but in July the committee will be receiving monthly newsletter from the organization on audit findings.

Vice Chair Allen stated that OPHS should be very detailed with a list of requirements ofthe grant amount and time period, and the type of services provided, and the geographic area that was covered. This will make sure the OPHS is compliance.

Public commenter stated that if the acronyms were IMPD and not OPHS, the whole board would be in an uproar. Accountability should be across the board. If you want to throw ethics training at OPHS throw it at IMPD.

Public Commenter Chauncey Brown stated that OPHS is doing so much in the community and yes it does need to be accountability, but it does not have to come at the cost of cutting funding yet.

Proposal 190 was moved and seconded to be divided into two parts for a vote. Part 1 will be section 1-4 and part 2 would be section 5.

Councilors voted 6 to 5 for part 1 and part 2 voted 7 to 3 towards Proposal 190.

Meeting was adjourned immediately after voting at 8 p.m.

@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Public commenter mentioned there is a cultural difference that is happening with this vote to add 17 year olds to the juvenile curfew. There are other solutions than a curfew. This can be a messy situation and there is better solution to talk about these things.

@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Chauncey Brown stated there are some 17 year olds who are taking care of home and that trust is built through relationship, resource, and opportunity. We need to work to pursue better opportunities for our youth.

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