Indianapolis Democrats Reject Common-Sense Public Safety Proposals

Written By Admin Indy Republicans

Friday, August 29, 2025

This week, Democrat members of key Indianapolis City-County Council committees blocked public safety proposals by Councilors Hart and Bain. 

REMINDER: Violent crime is rising, city agencies are struggling to fill public safety positions, and juvenile curfew violations are increasing. These proposals would have taken meaningful steps to improve public safety, bring accountability, and support our first responders.

Instead, Democrat councilors chose partisan politics over the safety and security of their constituents. 

The common-sense safety proposals Democrat councilors opposed:

Proposal 1: Remove Residency Requirements for City Employees

  • What would it do? Allows supporting public safety departments to hire qualified candidates regardless of their ZIP code. This would help solve chronic staffing shortages and expand the talent pool.

  • Why did Democrats vote against it? They fear nearly half of city employees will flee the county, driven out by the very problems Democrats created: crumbling roads, high taxes, and failing schools. 

  • Democrats against staffing public safety departments: Crista Carlino, Jessica McCormick, Carlos Perkins, Dan Boots, Keith Graves, Brienne Delaney, Frank Mascari

  • What can you do? Call your Democrat councilor and tell them you support staffing our police and fire departments with the best candidates, regardless of ZIP code. 

Proposal 2: Parental Accountability for Juvenile Curfew Violations

  • What would it do? Hold parents/guardians accountable for their minors after multiple curfew violations. These fines serve as a deterrent, much like speeding violations.

  • Why did most Democrats vote against it? Democrats claim the fines were too steep but refused to take meaningful action to amend the proposal. Further proof Democrats don’t want to solve the city's problems, they want to perpetuate them. The reality is we need steep fines to solve the steep lack of public safety in our communities. 

Notably, Councilor Dan Boots supported the measure, proving bipartisan backing is possible.

  • Democrats against holding parents accountable for their minors’ infractions: Crista Carlino, Jessica McCormick, Carlos Perkins, Keith Graves, Brienne Delaney, Frank Mascari

  • What can you do? Call your Democrat councilor and demand action to keep streets safe and ensure parents take responsibility. 

Proposal 3: Reforming the General Orders Advisory Board

  • What would it do? Transform the General Orders Board into an advisory board, restoring authority to the Chief of Police to issue and amend departmental orders effectively.

  • Why did most Democrats vote against it? Democrat councilors gave vague reasoning for their opposition, despite the Chief of Police telling Councilor Keith Graves (D) the General Orders Board “impacts people’s morale, how they work, and their day-to-day activities.” He went on to say “There is a list of things that have contributed to why people don’t want to be police officers in major cities, and this is a contributing factor in Indianapolis.”

  • Democrats against supporting police officers: Crista Carlino, Jessica McCormick, Carlos Perkins, Dan Boots, Keith Graves, Brienne Delaney, Frank Mascari

  • What can you do? Call your Democrat councilor and demand they give our law enforcement officers the support necessary to keep Indianapolis communities safe.

➡️ In other news, we have a new chair of the Pike Township GOP! 

Rinetia Cole is stepping up as the new Chair of the Pike Township GOP! We’re excited to welcome her leadership and grateful for her dedication to serving our county. 

A thank you to outgoing Chair Monica Kozlowski for her service and commitment to advancing Republican values. We’re thrilled that Monica will continue to play an active role in all things Pike Township GOP moving forward!

Upcoming Events

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UPDATED DATE: Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Washington Township Lincoln Day Dinner 

Friday-Saturday, February 20-21, 2026: Indiana GOP Congress of Counties

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Public Safety Amendments Head to Committee Next Week