Indianapolis City-County Council Committee Recommends Earlier Curfew

Proposed curfew changes aim to address 'concerning trends' in teen violence before summer

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a lone police car parked on an empty city street, with warm light and deep shadows creating a sense of solitude and contemplation.The proposed earlier curfew aims to provide support and resources to Indianapolis youth who may be out unsupervised late at night.Indianapolis Today

The Indianapolis City-County Council's Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee voted 9-1 to recommend a proposal that would move the city's curfew start time two hours earlier for children and teenagers. The full council is expected to vote on the 'public safety curfew hours' proposal on May 4, which would enforce a 9 p.m. daily curfew for those under 15 and a 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds.

Why it matters

Indianapolis has seen an increase in the percentage of juveniles involved in crimes, including a recent incident where a 13-year-old was arrested with a pistol. The earlier curfew is intended as a 'non-intrusive' way to 'intervene early' and provide support to young people, according to IMPD Chief Tanya Terry, who cited 'concerning trends' in teen violence and 'teen takeovers' in other cities.

The details

The current state law dictates a curfew from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends and 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays for 15- to 17-year-olds, and an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew for those under 15. The proposed changes would move the start time to 9 p.m. daily for under-15s, and 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday for 16- and 17-year-olds. The curfew would be in effect for 120 days, until the start of August.

  • The City-County Council's Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee voted on the proposal on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.
  • The full City-County Council is expected to vote on the 'public safety curfew hours' proposal on May 4, 2026.
  • The proposed curfew changes would be in effect for 120 days, until the start of August 2026.

The players

Tanya Terry

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief, who argued that current conditions and 'concerning trends' in teen violence call for tightening the curfew window.

Indianapolis City-County Council

The local governing body that is expected to vote on the proposed curfew changes on May 4, 2026.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'In response to what we have seen so far this year and in past summers, we need to intervene early, in a non-intrusive way, and provide support to our young people.'”

— Tanya Terry, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief

What’s next

The full Indianapolis City-County Council is expected to vote on the 'public safety curfew hours' proposal on May 4, 2026. If approved, the earlier curfew would go into effect for 120 days, until the start of August 2026.

The takeaway

The proposed curfew changes in Indianapolis aim to address 'concerning trends' in juvenile crime and violence, with the goal of providing early intervention and support for young people. The move reflects growing concerns about 'teen takeovers' and the increasing involvement of juveniles in local crimes.