Indy police chief, mayor respond after President of Fraternal Order of Police blasts violence reduction strategy

INDIANAPOLIS — As WNBA All-Star Weekend approaches, leaders with the City of Indianapolis are facing mounting criticism over their handling of recent violence.

There were multiple homicides over the weekend, including the killing of a 12-year-old boy.

The preparations have begun in downtown Indianapolis for the WNBA All-Star Game, which is slated to bring tens of thousands of people to the Circle City next weekend. It’s clear that public safety is top of mind for officials after several violent weeks, including a recent mass shooting

just a few blocks from Gainbridge Fieldhouse that killed two teenagers.

“As much time as we have spent chastising them, downtown was pretty empty of juveniles,” IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said. “There were some, but not many.”

Bailey said his department’s calls for parents to take control of their kids seemed to have worked this past weekend. But the violence erupted in other parts of the city — despite an impassioned plea from the chief himself late last week.

“I’m asking, and I’m begging that we have a peaceful and safe weekend,” Bailey said in a video posted to social media.

That comment drew the ire of the local police union.

“Begging and Peace Tents won’t solve the violence overtaking our capital city,” FOP President Rick Snyder said. “As peacemakers, we are called upon to make peace, not beg for it or posture for it.”

Bailey fired back.

“The entire message was one of peace,” Bailey said. “If you listen to the entire message and not pick out one word, you’re gonna see that it was ‘please help us help the community be better.’”

Snyder also took aim at the push for an earlier curfew being championed by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.

“Extending curfew hours is a shallow and shortsighted approach,” Snyder said. “It is apparent Indianapolis leaders are stuck in the very corner they constructed with misguided policies and agendas.”

“That’s not a standalone issue,” Hogsett said in response to Snyder’s statements. “As the Chief has underscored, we are going to do everything we can to keep the peace.”

The stakes couldn’t be higher for keeping the peace this weekend, with a national spotlight once again on Indy.

“My message is come with a level of peace,” Bailey said. “You can control your behavior. I can’t control everyone’s behavior in the city. If I could, we wouldn’t have any shootings.”